http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-drone-rules-20160829-snap-htmlstory.html
I don’t actually own a drone and I have mixed feelings about getting one. Sometimes I think it would be really great to have the overhead perspective available. But it seems nearly every week I read about some person doing something selfish and reckless with their drones and I don’t want to follow the siren’s call and get seduced by that tech and do something silly or dangerous with it. But no doubt about it, they are very cool and getting better all the time and there are very many legitimate uses for them. The LA Times does a good job of summarizing and discussing the implications of the new rules but for convenience here’s my summary as well:
Commercial purposes: See FAA website for UAS rules and info
- Operator’s over the age of 16 can get a remote pilot certificate at any FAA approved facility
- Drones must be operated within a line of sight at all times
- Drones can not be operated over people who are not directly participating in the operation
- Drones can not go higher than 400 feet, or over 100mph
- Weight limit is 55 pounds for drone and payload
- Daylight only operations: 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset
- Must yield right of way to other aircraft
Recreational purposes: See FAA website for more
To fly outside you must register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than half a pound
- Label your drone with your registration number
- Be 13 years of age or older
- A US citizen or legal permanent resident