1. The Laws and Regulations of Drone Flying
Here are the top ten recommendations for getting started with your drone and some valuable tips and tricks for handling the most typical scenarios.
Drone laws vary significantly from country to country and are constantly changing. In some countries, strict regulations are limiting the use of drones. According to the U.S. national aviation authority and the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), flying a drone is legal. Still, you need to be aware and compliant with drone regulations. Drone rules are divided into two categories: Recreational & Commercial.
Recreational: This category includes flights solely for recreation or personal enjoyment. By taking the Recreational UAS Safety Test or TRUST, you must demonstrate you have a basic understanding of drone laws and safety procedures. The test is free online at one of the official test sites. The FAA's website has a list of them. More information here. After completing the TRUST, you will be given a certificate of completion, which never expires. Be sure to keep it saved in a safe place. The good news is that you can’t fail the test.
Commercial: You must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA in order to operate your drone under the FAA's Small UAS Rule (Part 107). More info here.
Classes of airspace and flying restrictions can be found on our B4UFLY app or the UAS Facility Maps webpage.
Basic rules of Recreational flying:
- Always keep your drone within the VLOS (visual line of sight).
- Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
- Do not interfere with emergency response or law enforcement activities.
- Do not fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.