Drone Regulations
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All drone operators, like other types of pilots, must follow airspace regulations to safely navigate the skies. This very similar to how boat operators must follow navigation laws on the water. Many of the airspace regulations we adhere to are, by law, mandatory; while a few are just common sense. This page is dedicated to explaining as many of these requirements as possible. The FAA Drone Zone is a portal page to help you get started if you are a beginner, so you will need to register an account.
Florida Department of Transportation has a lot of good guidance available HERE. Also click HERE to download an FDOT brochure with a lot of the basic Federal and State guidelines. Much of this is detailed more below, but it is important to note that all paths lead back to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), who has authority to rule the skies.
https://www.faa.gov/uas is another starting point for drone regulations. UAS is the acronym for Unmanned Aerial System. This web page outlines the drone pilot’s responsibilities, whether you are a recreational flyer or a Professional Drone Pilot, (Part 61 or 107 Pilot Certified) There are numerous links and resources available from this one page.
Recreational Flyers must abide by all FAA airspace regulations, whether or not they are a certified pilot. The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement. There you can learn about the rules, download the appropriate APP, and take a knowledge test to get your completion certificate, that the law requires.
Recreational Flyers are also required to follow the FAA’s recreational model aircraft rules. One of those rules is that if your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs, you’ll need to visit the FAA Drone Zone and pay $5 to get it registered.
Remote ID is now required to fly almost anywhere in the United States. Drones which are required to be registered or are registered, including those flown for recreation, business, or public safety, must comply with the rule on Remote ID. Only FRIA’s are exempt.
The FAA offers a way to check if your Drone has a declaration of compliance with the new guidelines for Remode ID (RID) and Operations Over People (OOP). Click here to check if your drone is in compliance.
FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs) If your drone doesn’t have Remote ID, you may be able to operate within a FRIA. These are typically referred to as Drone Parks or RC Parks, and the only one in Columbia County, Florida is located at 454 SW Dyal Avenue, Lake City, Fl 32024
Click here for Club info and Directions.
Drones cannot be operated over critical infrastructure facilities, or within a distance that could interfere with their operations. Drones also cannot fly within 25 feet of people, power lines, buildings, or light fixtures. Also be aware that many State and Local parks restrict the use of drones.
A person may not possess or operate an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system with an attached weapon, firearm, explosive, destructive device, or ammunition
To fly a drone as a commercial pilot in the state of Florida (i.e. for hire / business purposes) you are required to follow the requirements of the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule (Part 107), which includes passing the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Click here to view Public Safety guidelines if you are a public safety employee, (e.g., for a police or fire department). To fly a drone as a government employee in the state of Florida you may either operate under the FAA’s Part 107 rule or obtain a federal Certificate of Authorization (COA). Failure to do this may result in civil liability for the operator among other issues. In addition, Florida privacy laws restrict where drones may be flown by Public Safety Officers, specifically SB 92 // 2013
B4UFLY is a program launched by the FAA to provide pilots with a Phone APP that determines, by location, the distance from airports, type of airspace, temporary flight restrictions (TFR), Notices To Airmen (NOTAM) and other pertinent info about whether it is legal to fly in the area. Use this App to determine if it is safe to fly where you are, what the weather conditions are like, and to file a flight plan to use LAANC.
Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) is a new requirement to facilitate communicating between drone pilots and other airspace operators. Basically the drone pilot files a flight plan with one of the FAA approved UAS Service Supplier. Based upon the submitted plan, the UAS Service supplier checks with the FAA UAS data exchange server and delivers back to the pilot all airspace restrictions, TFR’s and NOTAMS. It will determine the type of airspace the plan intends to fly in, and answer in near real time whether or not the pilot has permission to fly the mission.
Approved Drones for use in Florida
Foreign Surveillance is a big concern, especially from China. As a result there are several restrictions that exist, or are coming down the pike. Florida listed only 5 drone manufacturers that were acceptable to purchase or use for Florida governmental agencies, as of April 5, 2023. They are as follows:
Skydio
Parrot
Altavian
Teal Drones
Vantage Robotics.
Additionally, Congress has taken several steps to limit the use of Foreign drones. Starting with the H.R.4998 – Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019, then DJI was placed on the US “entity” list in 2020. This past year Elise Stefanek introduced 2 bills; Countering CCP Drones Act and the Drones for First Responders Act which will prohibit importing certain brands like DJI into the US after 5 years. Meanwhile the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal year 2025 is winding it’s way through Congress.
On a federal level The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the Department of Defense (DoD) maintains the Blue UAS Cleared List, which lists drones that have been approved for government use, also known as Blue UAS. The list includes commercial drones that meet policy requirements and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as search and rescue, transporting supplies, and inspecting infrastructure. As of 2024, some drones on the list include:
Wingtra: Wingtra One
AgEagle: eBee TAC
Ascent Aerosystems: Spirit
Blue Halo: IE-V2 Jeti
Easy Aerial: Osprey
Flightwave: Edge 130
Freefly Systems: Alta X
Harris Aerial: H6 Electric, H6 Hydrone, and H6 EFI
Inspired Flight: IF 1200A, IF 800, and IF 750
Parrot: ANAFI USA GOV and ANAFI USA MIL
PDW: C100
Skydio: X2D Color 1.8 GHz, X2D Color 5 GHz, Thermal 1.8 GHz, Thermal 5 GHz, and X2D Multiband
Teal Drones: Teal 2 and Golden Eagle
Vantage: Vesper
Florida Specific Laws also must be adhered to. There are several specific laws in Florida relating to UAS, and they are as follows:
This law pre-empts local regulation of UAS so that only the Florida Legislature can make laws concerning the use of drones in the state, but allows local governments to enact drone ordinances related to nuisances, voyeurism, harassment, reckless endangerment, property damage, or other illegal acts. This law also prohibits the operation of drones over or near critical infrastructure in most instances, as well as prohibiting the possession or operation of a weaponized UAS.
This law prohibits the use of a drone to capture an image of privately owned property or the owner, tenant, or occupant of such property without consent if a reasonable expectation of privacy exists.
This law defines what a drone is and limits the use of drones by law enforcement. Under this law, law enforcement may use a drone if they obtain a warrant, there is a terrorist threat, or “swift action” is needed to prevent loss of life or to search for a missing person. This law also enables someone harmed by an inappropriate use of drones to pursue civil action.
Florida Administrative Code 5I-4.003 // 2016
This state code prohibits drones on managed lands, including Florida state parks and forests, except at a runway or a helispot and only with authorization from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Authorization shall be based upon a determination that the takeoff or landing will not endanger the health, safety or welfare of any person; potentially damage the forest resources; or interfere with management objectives of that forest as provided in that forest’s management plan. Authorization from the Service is not required in an emergency or for Service official business.
Florida Administrative Code 40C-9.320 // 2004
This state code prohibits drones from taking off or landing on District lands unless authorized by a Special Use Authorization.
Basic Guidelines for a Recreational Pilot
Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment).
Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO) like the Academy of Model Aeronautics .
Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.
Do not fly at night or when Minimum weather visibility is less than three miles from your control station. The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, and higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure.
Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft.
Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone.
Fly at or below 100 MPH
Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure, (e.g., power stations, correctional facilities, major public roadways, etc.) Avoid flying over streets parking areas and moving traffic. Professional drone pilots should be familiar with FAA regulations for flying over streets and moving traffic. For example, you can’t hover above a car or fly directly down an interstate, but you can cross over a road or interstate while mapping. Recreational pilots are prohibited from flying over people, festivals, infrastructure, streets and parking areas. Do not fly over private property without the owners permission.
Note: Anyone flying a drone in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS) is responsible for flying within the FAA guidelines and regulations. That means it is up to you as a drone pilot to know the rules: Where Can I Fly?
Take The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage when flying.
Have a current FAA registration, mark (PDF) your drones on the outside with the registration number, and carry proof of registration with you when flying.
Note: Beginning September 16, 2023, if your drone requires an FAA registration number it will also be required to broadcast Remote ID information (unless flown within a FRIA). For more information on drone registration, visit How to Register Your Drone.
Do not operate your drone in a manner that endangers the safety of the national airspace system.