Based on the U.S. national aviation authority and the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority(FAA) flying a drone is legal in the U.S. However, it is suggested to be well informed and compliant with the drone regulations listed below before doing so.
Travel Considerations
If you need to travel to the United States of America and require to carry your drone, the FAA has listed some of the particular considerations for foreigners:
- If the drone is required to be flown for entertainment or for work, the user must register their drone with the FAA using the FAADroneZone portal.
- When decided to fly for fun, the user should follow the rules for recreational or hobbyist flying.
- When flying a drone commercially, you must obtain a certificate from the FAA and follow the rules for commercial flying.
- When you are traveling in the U.S. with your drone, the TSA, U.S. Transportation Security Administration permits you to travel with your drone but you should bring it in carryon suitcases only. You may not load your drone in checked goods.
Regulations for Flying a Drone in the USA
According to the research and interpretation of the laws, here are the most crucial rules to understand for flying a drone in the U.S.
Recreational or Hobbyist Rules, to fly drones for fun
- Drones should be flown only for hobby or recreation, not any other side jobs or in-kind works permitted.
- It is required to register your UAV with the FAA on the FAADroneZone website.
- Drones must be flown only within the visual line-of-sight.
- Drones should abide by the community-based safety regulations and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization (CBO) like the AMA.
- Drones must fly below 55 lbs. which must be certified by a community-based organization.
- Drones should never attempt to fly near other aircraft or airports.
- Drones should identify the airport and air traffic control tower in advance to fly drone within 5 miles of an airport.
- Drones should never be flown near serious response efforts.
Commercial Rules, to fly drones for work
- It is mandatory to contain Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA to fly commercially.
- Register your UAV with the FAA on the FAADroneZone website.
- UAV should contain less than 55 pounds, involving payload, at takeoff.
- Drones should fly in Class G airspace.
- Sustain your UAV within visual line-of-sight.
- Drones should fly at or below 400 feet.
- Drones should fly during daylight or civil twilight.
- Drones should fly at or below 100 mph.
- Yield right of way to manned aircraft.
- Drones cannot fly directly over people.
- It is not feasible to fly from a moving vehicle, except in a sparsely populated area.
Watch a video of drone regulations in the USA:
