Drones are a popular gift for the holidays, but amidst all the excitement of opening that present and getting it airborne, take a moment to acquaint yourself with the laws in your state.
Verizon recently put together a report that looks at drone laws in all 50 states, then ranked them into 12 categories, such as:
- Prohibits surveillance of people and buildings
- Restricts use in state parks and wildlife areas
- Issues drone-specific criminal offenses
- Prohibits the use of drones on or near airports
- Requires drone insurance
- Can’t operate under the influence (Just one state has this law: New Jersey).
Interesting Findings
- Three states, Alabama, Missouri, and South Carolina, have no state-level drone laws
- Oregon, Texas, and Utah had laws for six categories
- Minnesota was the only state that required drone insurance
- The most common category was regulating how close drones can get to certain buildings or people. The 24 states with this law mentioned correctional facilities most often.
Also, don’t forget FAA regulations that may govern your new drone. Go to the FAA’s website to find out what you need to know before you take flight at FAA.gov/UAS.
Common sense doesn’t exist with some people. Mental illness is rampent in the United States, WHY? Example, people shooting green lasers at aircraft, flying a drone near an airport, things like this with no forthought is not acceptable anywhere. In my day Dad would have applied corporal discipline. There are enough rules of government on the books it would fill up the great lakes! WHY, People trying to get their names on the books?? I’ve experienced this in my former job. Mostly new people bringing up things that were tried 20 years in the past. When you tell them that we tried that in the past and it failed.
I’m now 80 years old and spent my adult Years working on aircraft in the military and general aviation. I have many FAA license under my belt. Some people are natural born mechanical inclined folks! Others are working under the rote rules, and will never be able to think beyond the end of their noses. We are in a pickle folks! My aircraft is for sale.
I thought the FAA had control of drones as they do virtually anything that flys.
When did you stop censoring me? Why do you never return communication about your BLOCKING policies?
Hi Dan,
Our comment policy can be read here: https://generalaviationnews.com/comment-policy/
It used to be easy to access until I made changes to the layout of the website and I forgot to add the link back to the site. That is something I will fix ASAP.
Ben Sclair
Publisher
When does an R/C plane fall under drone laws? Been flying R/C for decades with never an issue nor meddling from the Feds.
RC planes along with drones are now part of the UAS, Unmanned Aircraft Systems category and starting to be regulated by the FAA. We are subject to ceiling restrictions, depending on distance from airports, and even Notams that ground all aircraft when a president in the vicinity. To find out more check out the AMA website about all the new regs coming our way and how to stay ahead of it.