So You Think You Want A Drone?
By: Jason Simmons | Published April 22, 2016
It appears that Spring is finally here…the grass is green and has been mowed a few times. Jackets, for the most part, have found their new homes back in the closet. The days are getting long enough that by the time you get home, make supper and get the dishes done, there is still daylight outside and you can go out and do something.
Right now, it seems like the most popular outdoor toys are the hoverboard and the drone. While I do not own either of these special toys, I find both of them interesting. The hoverboards are interesting based on the number of fall injuries that have found their way to my Facebook feed as well as that some of them have exploding battery packs. OUCH — I think I will stay away from them entirely.
Drones, on the other hand, are interesting because they are just cool. They take you back to your childhood when remote control toys were all the rage. Now, you can actually be a pilot, and the cost while not insignificant, is fairly reasonable. If you choose to outfit your drone with a video camera, you can gain additional freedom as well and do flyovers of your house or property. But then the question becomes, are there any restrictions involved in flying a drone? The short answer is yes, and some of the details are below.
The Federal Aviation Administration, or FAA, regulates aircraft and airspace in the US. The FAA does not call a drone a drone, but rather, regulates them as UAS, or unmanned aircraft systems. UAS covers those aircraft that weigh between .55 pounds up to 55 pounds. The FAA does require that all UAS purchased on or after December 21, 2015 be listed on a registry, for which there is a $5 registration fee. Existing owners of UAS were required to register by February 19, 2016 and pay the same $5 fee. You must be at least 13 to register an UAS and it will be good for a period of three years. Failing to register an UAS can lead to substantial civil and/or criminal penalties.
In addition to the registration, the FAA has partnered with several industry associations and adopted some best practices, which are strongly encouraged:
- Keep your drone within 400 feet of the ground and keep clear of surrounding obstacles
- Make sure that you can always see your drone
- Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations
- Do not fly within 5 miles of an airport without notifying the airport or control tower before operating your drone
- Do not fly near people or stadiums
- Do not fly a drone weighing more than 55 pounds
- Do not be careless or reckless with your drone
These are just a few of the rules concerning recreational use of drones. Knowing the law and your obligations is paramount to making sure that you get to keep using your drone and enjoy the fun and freedom of these aircrafts. More information can be found at the FAA’s UAS landing page, which can be found at www.faa.gov/uas/.