While it is legal for people to fly drones in the U.S., there are specific rules you need to abide by. Understanding and following these rules can help you stay out of trouble with the authorities.
A drone, also called an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or unmanned aircraft system (UAS), is an aircraft without a human pilot, crew, or passengers on board. These drones are used today by people for various purposes, from precision agriculture to aerial photography.
The rising popularity of UAVs comes with a need for strict law enforcement for public safety. Whether you’re planning on flying a drone for fun on private property or for commercial purposes (like window or roof cleaning), you need to know the laws surrounding it.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state authorities work to make practical drone laws to protect people and avoid misuse. The FAA oversees the majority of US airspace and has laid out specific regulations for every drone pilot to follow in the United States, including the law surrounding pilot licenses.
In this article, we will review the new FAA drone laws in 2023 for all pilots.
FAA Drone Laws for All Drone Pilots
Here are some of the most prevalent requirements for commercial and recreational drone pilots to fly their drones in the United States.
Keep in mind there are also additional rules applicable in different states that you need to look up as well.
1. All drones should weigh a maximum of 55 pounds and must be registered at the FAADroneZone. The registration costs $5 and is valid for three years.
2. You must fly your drone at 400 feet or less.
3. You should be aware of No Drone Zones.
4. You should fly in a Class G airspace.
5. You must have the drone flights in controlled airspace, in your visual line of sight at all times.
6. Be out of the way of police enforcement and emergency response operations.
7. You must shift to the side and allow manned aircraft to pass without interfering with air traffic and aircraft operations.
8. You can use the FAA's B4UFLY Mobile App, which uses your GPS position to offer up-to-date information on flying regulations and airspace restrictions.
9. Section 107 drones may be utilized for both commercial and recreational flights. However, drones registered under the Exemption for Recreational Flyers are not authorized for Part 107 operations.
UAS Regulations for Commercial Drone Pilots
The laws for flying drones for non-recreational activities are as follows:
1. To fly commercial drones, you must have a Remote Pilot Certificate - Part 107 license.
2. You must be fluent in English and understand, read, write, and speak it.
3. You must be at least 16 years old to become an FAA-certified drone pilot.
4. You must be intellectually and physically capable of safely operating a UAV.
5. You are not permitted to fly your drone faster than 100 miles per hour.
6. Flying in Class G airspace is mandatory. You must submit an application for airspace authorization with LAANC if you need to fly in Class B, C, D, or E-controlled airspace.
7. Keep an eye out for airspace limitations and avoid operating drones near airports. Make sure that no person or any other aircraft is harmed.
As long as the requirements and safety guidelines are followed and you have a Drone License, you can fly commercial UAV drones without a waiver under Part 107 in the following circumstances:
- at night (with airspace authorization)
- over people
- over moving vehicles
FAA Drone Regulations for Foreigners
There are a certain set of FAA Regulations for people visiting the United States with their drones and wishing to fly them.
If you're traveling to the United States with your drone, here are a few things you should know before flying:
1. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the United States allows you to fly your drone domestically, but only as carry-on luggage. Drones are not allowed in checked luggage. For more information about carrying a drone to fly in the United States, check with TSA or your airline.
2. Whether recreational or commercial drone use, you must register with FAADroneZone.
3. You must take the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) exam to use your drone for recreational purposes in the US.
4. To legally operate a commercial drone, you must obtain a pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and follow regulations.
Drone Laws by State
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) creates the rules and regulations that govern all kinds of aviation in the United States. However, the FAA is not the only agency that regulates airspace. Each state has its own set of drone rules which you should be aware of before flying your drone in that state.
Check out the Drone Laws by state below:
FAA Drone Registration Guide
While registering your drone, you must submit basic information including:
- Email address
- Contact number
- Mailing and physical address
- Credit or debit card
- Drone type and make
- Manufacturer-supplied remote ID serial number (if applicable)
Fees for Drone Registration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Drone registration costs $5 per drone and is valid for a three-year period for both commercial and recreational use drones.
- Each type must be registered separately. You cannot switch your drones from one type to another once they have been registered.
Drone Registration Regulations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- A US citizen or a legal permanent resident of the US.
- Foreign operators must accept their certificates as proof of ownership rather than certificates of aircraft registration in the United States.
- You must be at least 13 years old to register a drone with the FAA. If you are under the age of 13, you must have someone over the age of 13 register the drone for you.
Where to Register your Drone
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When you purchase a drone with us, we provide you with all the required study material for drone registration and assist you in the process.
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Today, drones are used for all kinds of purposes. While some are commercial operators, others may be interested in recreational drone operations. Regardless of your purpose, there are a set of rules you need to follow to safely fly your small unmanned aircraft in the United States.
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