New Drone Flier Questions Answered – The Rules
New Drone Flier Questions Answered – The Rules
The interest in camera drones has exploded over the last few years with a lot of new fliers joining the hobby. We get tons of questions every week from fliers all over the world and I wanted to put together a series of clips answering those questions on the channel so others could benefit from them. In this first clip in this series I cover the rules for flying in the United States that hobbyist fliers should follow. Please let me know if you have any questions about anything I’ve covered in the clip and be sure to stay tuned for the next clip in the series.
Official FAA rules for hobbyist fliers – https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/
Registration page for drones – https://faadronezone.faa.gov/#/
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why dont thay enforce registration on drone flying,that way we can eliminate the goof flyers.
If you want save some time start at 6:00. The beginning is unnecessary.
Ever get your drone hung up in a tree. I have once and I remembered I had my 24′ fiber glass telescoping ‘Fish Stick".
They normally run about $ 230 but I found them at Amazon for far less price.
https://www.amazon.com/Greenlee-FP24-Wire-Fish-24-Feet/dp/B00125DA7W/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Greenlee+10443+24ft+Fish+pole&qid=1600212791&sr=8-2
This 24′ pole collapses down to about 5 feet. It’s really sturdy and has a metal hook on the end.
Thank you.
Great advice. I’m from Canada and still liked your video as those rules apply here as well PLUS some😔
Thanks for another great video!!!
I live just on the edge of a class C airport, but technically I’m still within the 5 mile radius according to the maps. I routinely fly my Phantom 4 and Mavic Mini in the back yard and open fields behind me without going through the approval process. I never fly over 400 feet and I know the air traffic patterns at the airport are far from me. I fly for the fun of it in my back yard, but don’t want to go through the hassle of seeking approval for flying for fun around my house. Am I seriously in danger of getting fined? Is my drone (which is registered and tagged) able to be monitored for these "illegal" and unapproved flight activities? It seems like a bit of overkill in my circumstances.
I agree 100% Rick. People definitely have to be careful flying drones because they can easily ruin it for the drone flyers that do take it serious and also ruin it for future drone flyers. Great clip Rick! You’re awesome man!
You could get hit by a coconut and GET knockout FUNNY
Well done Rick! Truly enjoy your videos.
Important topics very well explained. Good job Rick!
Great topic Rick. Thanks for sharing.
13 minutes of wise words and advice, transmitting your experience to young people is very important, good job sir.
Is there an age restriction for flying drones? Do you have to be 16, like with driving a car? or is there no age limit
The biggest "hassle" I’ve encountered was a police officer asking "where is the drone you’re controlling?" I pointed to it & showed him the viewer. He replied "Wow. That’s awesome."
Is license necessary to fly a drone in the US, such as to fly a DJI Mavic 2?
Thank you for that informative video. I have shared it in our Australian Mavic Mini group which at present has some 7,000 MM pilots Whilst not all the USA rules apply to the Australian airspace your advice re registration and safely apply equally here in Aus.
Great video Rick, thank you for taking the time to make this video. Very informative a must watch for everybody.
I have trouble understanding how a couple of the guidelines interact with each other. First of all, it’s a given that I am at least 20 miles from the nearest airport or helipad. You just stated that all commercial aviation cannot fly lower than 500 feet. If I am flying at say 250 feet, why do I need to observe visual line of sight ? What are the actual risks under these conditions ?
Hi Rick, this is a very informative episode and I look forward to the next one, especially now that you mention about flying over private property. I did a very stupid thing the other day, I went through an open gate knowing full well I was intruding in someone’s private land. I thought to myself sure why not it’s a long lonely lane and just before I took off a big Land Rover pulled in and an irate woman rolled downs the window and gave me a right rollicking. I deserved it I suppose but I got a bit confrontational and shouted back at her but I gutted it’s what I get for not reading the “private property” sign. I was trying to photograph a rock on the opposite side of the road and the main road had no lay-by our path to take off from and the only place was the apron of the driveway🙂 Still, I stupid after that ordeal 😐😐
Thank you
With the VLOS rule, you literally have to be able to see the drone with your eyes, or you are in violation. I purchased a Mavic Air 2, and quickly realized I could not enjoy the hobby if I can’t fly beyond 500 feet. I didn’t want to feel like a criminal every time I put the drone in the air, so I returned it to the seller. I would get back into the hobby if that rule were changed, but I doubt it ever will be.
Hi Rick, very informative! Thanks! Have you done a video on the various mapping apps to see where the restricted areas are and where it’s safe to fly? I have heard of Airmap, and I am sure that there are others. Can you comment or do a video on these apps? Thanks again.
Rick, you are an excellent point man for new as well as existing drone pilots. I’ve been flying drones for over 4 years but enjoy watching you in almost every video you release.
BREATHING IS A LUXURY BUT NOT ANY MORE ASH EVERYWHERE THE SMELL OF BURNING IN CALIFORNIA BY CAL STATE LA
Got the notification after 19 hours
nice!
Stop a Fly Away. Attitude mode was the safest feature that DJI had implemented into their drone systems with their Phantom line of drones. Attitude mode gave the pilot in command complete control over the drone in the event a fly away would occur. In my opinion, removing Atti mode from the Mavic line up was the biggest mistake that DJI ever made as far as trying to create the safest flight experience possible with these drones. And it seems to me that this was a senseless decision on their part. Fortunately, a hack for the Mavic line of drones has been discovered to implement Atti mode back into the drone. The hack is completely safe, and completely reliable, and I would recommend it to anyone who owns this drone and wants to be a safe and responsible pilot.
Here in a Michigan we these boats that tie off each other and seen videos of the drone flying over these boats and there are people on these boat should they be doing that
Flying a night? I always thought wasn’t allowed but recently saw someone saying it is?
Hi Rick, I have a Phantom 4 and a JJRC X-12. Can I fly them at the same time or will they interfere with one another? I’ve been too wary to try.
Rick, flying within 5 miles of an airport? You can request to fly using AIRMAP within 5 miles of an airport. I do request because when I fly around my house it is just inside the 5 miles. I do receive permission, but MUST fly no more than 100 feet elevation.
Thank you Sir. Great info as always!
Great video! I try to avoid coconuts. Thanks from Canada.
Rick – You mentioned that FAA was working on new rules of line of sight, please explain more on it, because I’m interested. I work with ranchers and farmers here in Montana using the litchi program (other agriculture programs) to terrain follow an irrigation ditch between 60 feet and 100 feet for a quarter of mile or more and it’s next to impossible to see the drone. I do continue to scan the sky in the area of the drone is flying and the rancher or farmer is my assistance. Question: Are there separate rules for flying drones for agriculture purposes?
Thanks for the information Sir.
Re: VLOS Visual Line of Sight 7:14
Country: Canada with Basic Drone License.
IMO ….. This rule has to go. I have the DJI Mavic Air 2 and violate that rule regularly and navigate with the camera or google maps. I plan my route in advance and know the area – it is perfectly safe to do so. You are too limited with VLOS.
Great summary, Rick! Our drone rules in Canada are similar, but there are some significant differences. I have videos covering all the Canadian drone regulations on my channel.
Hi Rick, what about private properties – such as hotels or farms, for example, – where owners put ‘no drones’ signs. Are there any specific rules for this?
Can’t thank you enough for your videos Rick. Have been watching for months!
Just got my first drone, a Mavic Mini. your videos have prepared me for my first flight.
It was Safe and enjoyable. Thanks to your videos.
You always say you love to talk.
I for one, love listening to what you have to say!
Thanks again, and keep Talking! 😁
Good info….
Rick – Great information for new drone pilots and older drone pilots.
I still say you REALLY should try paramotoring. As much as you love to fly, you would be in absolute bliss. With a little quality training you’re flying in a matter of days, and now YOU are the drone! Just imagine!
Hi Rick
What’s your opinion on the DJI GO 4 app with the bow tie geofencing?
It allows you to fly closer than to 5 miles if your not in the flight path.
This subject does not have much coverage on YouTube.
seems like bird like to fly nearby my drone either curious or wanted to attack, any idea to avoid that? sometimes they just appear from nowhere……
Good common sense advice. PS, you have set up an attractive background for these talks. I have the same passion you do for flying. I’ve always wanted to be a pilot, but never wanted to spend the time or go to the expense of doing it or maintaining an airplane. This is the next best thing and it fills the need to be up there, even if I’m not.
Thanks Rick for the info. Even though I have a Part 107 Certificate, review is always good. I fly only as a hobbyist for now. The major safety concerns were to the point. Look forward to your future videos on the safety factors.
Might want to mention the calibrating of the compass on one’s first flight of the day (even if you flew yesterday). I have watched videos where guys launch their DJI drones and wonder why – when they execute an RTH – the drone is either off home plate, or skewed from the original launch heading.
I always do a compass calibration before first flight; launch about 10 meters in the air, hold momentarily, then tally-oh! RTH’s are spot on, even orientation to the original heading of the drone on Home Plate. Cool thing is to gimbal down as you approach Home Plate point, and watch things happen beneath.
Should say, KEEP CALM and FLY ON!
Great video as always. I live on Long Island NY and have to say that I don’t go out that often to fly my Evo. There are so many town and local restrictions that is almost impossible to find areas where there are no people, no cars etc. I do go out more after Labor Day when there aren’t people on the beaches or some of the larger parks don’t have people checking whether you’re a town resident. However when I do fly. I really enjoy it.
I would like to see someone come out with a vest saying FAA Registered Drone Pilot.
I have seen the ones that say FAA Licensed Drone Pilot but all I want to do is fly as a hobby.