Flying Drone inside the Class Charley airspace
- Thread starter Tom-D
- Start date
For hobby flights, notify the tower within 5 miles (permission not required). Altitude generally restricted to 400 feet I believe.
For non-hobby (usually commercial) flights, submit an airspace authorization to FAA and wait 30-180+ days. Altitudes vary from 0-400 feet depending on distance from airport, via a grid system. See:
https://faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad
Cap'n Jack
Final Approach
TheGolfPilot
Line Up and Wait
Is your drone registered? Hard to not know that rule if you registered the drone, they practically force the info onto you. Every drone over .55 pounds needs to be registered ($5)
https://www.faa.gov/dronezone/
Also, it is easy for a pilot to get the sUAS certificate which allows you to fly part 107.
https://www.faa.gov/dronezone/
Also, it is easy for a pilot to get the sUAS certificate which allows you to fly part 107.
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overdrive148
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You can. Like said above, you have to:
"Community-based safety guidelines" are:
If you're trying to make money or receive compensation for your images/flights, you have to have a commercial cert and you must have a waiver to fly in B/C/D airspace. The grid is used in some waivers, but by and large it looks like this for me:
A blanket altitude for the whole area, usually the entire width of the airspace (C in this case), and a no-fly area to abide by. This is an example part 107 waiver shown, if you are recreational you have to call the airport owner/tower, and all the heliports/seaports/etc in the area.
One page on the website says you are not allowed to fly in Bravo airspace. The FAQ doesn't mention it. It is a pretty complicated and unintuitive system at the moment, but later on this year a program called LAANC will be rolled out gradually which lets you use an app to request permission to fly, eliminating the need to call everyone to let them know that you are flying (as well as some 107 waivers depending on area).
TL;DR - Yes, just call the tower (plus airport operator and heliports/etc) and let them know you are, don't fly into aircraft, don't fly over the airport, avoid manned aircraft, keep it under 400 feet).
- Fly for hobby or recreation ONLY
- Register your model aircraft
- Fly within visual line-of-sight
- Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
- Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
- Never fly near other aircraft
- Notify the airport and air traffic control tower prior to flying within 5 miles of an airport*
- Never fly near emergency response efforts
"Community-based safety guidelines" are:
- Follow community-based safety guidelines, as developed by organizations such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
- Fly no higher than 400 feet and remain below any surrounding obstacles when possible.
- Keep your sUAS in eyesight at all times, and use an observer to assist if needed.
- Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations, and you must see and avoid other aircraft and obstacles at all times.
- Do not intentionally fly over unprotected persons or moving vehicles, and remain at least 25 feet away from individuals and vulnerable property.
- Contact the airport and control tower before flying within five miles of an airport or heliport.
- Do not fly in adverse weather conditions such as in high winds or reduced visibility.
- Do not fly under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Ensure the operating environment is safe and that the operator is competent and proficient in the operation of the sUAS.
- Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure or property such as power stations, water treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, etc.
- Check and follow all local laws and ordinances before flying over private property.
- Do not conduct surveillance or photograph persons in areas where there is an expectation of privacy without the individual’s permission.
If you're trying to make money or receive compensation for your images/flights, you have to have a commercial cert and you must have a waiver to fly in B/C/D airspace. The grid is used in some waivers, but by and large it looks like this for me:
A blanket altitude for the whole area, usually the entire width of the airspace (C in this case), and a no-fly area to abide by. This is an example part 107 waiver shown, if you are recreational you have to call the airport owner/tower, and all the heliports/seaports/etc in the area.
One page on the website says you are not allowed to fly in Bravo airspace. The FAQ doesn't mention it. It is a pretty complicated and unintuitive system at the moment, but later on this year a program called LAANC will be rolled out gradually which lets you use an app to request permission to fly, eliminating the need to call everyone to let them know that you are flying (as well as some 107 waivers depending on area).
TL;DR - Yes, just call the tower (plus airport operator and heliports/etc) and let them know you are, don't fly into aircraft, don't fly over the airport, avoid manned aircraft, keep it under 400 feet).
Brad Z
Final Approach
Are you flying a recreationallly and operating your drone in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization? If not, you need a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating. As other mentioned, you need an authorization to operate in controlled airspace, which must be submitted online. Depending on where you need to operate, the authorization may be near immediate or take several weeks if you're operating close in. Your best bet is to read up on part 107. In general, you can fly up to 400 feet AGL as well as 400 above a structure (and 400 laterally). You must stay within visual line of sight and you may not directly fly over people.