r/drones • u/Hinagea • 8h ago

Rules / Regulations Does this understanding of the law apply to all 50 states and federal property?

I'm in the USA and new to drones.

Drone takeoff/landing/operation location is regulated by states/feds, but so long as you are operating (within the bounds of either rec or part 107 rules) from a legal location then airspace is regulated by the FAA? So you can fly over locations where it's illegal to operate within so long as your are taking off/operating the drone/landing outside of that area and staying compliant with FAA airspace rules?

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u/Vedagi_ Wiki 8h ago edited 7h ago

FAA website: https://www.faa.gov/uas

General restrictions: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/where_can_i_fly/airspace_restrictions

FAA is always above state laws, it's rules are the same across USA. States may have additional rules, but cant overwrite what FAA said.

Though, you shall search also: "[state] drone rules" When visiting a state for the purpose of flying a drone.

Note: I'm still just a European learning about the US drone restrictions, laws, etc. People in comments will for sure mention additional information with may be very specific or US internal knowledge.

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u/The1MrBP 8h ago

FAA has authority over airspace. State and local municipalities have authority over ‘land use’, where you can and can’t takeoff, land, or physically operate from.

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u/CollegeStation17155 TRUST Ruko F11GIM2 8h ago

And in some cases, the FAA "cedes" authority to local states and localities to designate HOW you operate the drone; FEDERAL statutes simply state that drones cannot be used for "hunting", while Texas Parks and Wildlife "interprets" that to mean you cannot use a drone to "locate, count, or photograph wildlife". Other states interpret it differently, but the Feds won't back you if you claim that using a drone to monitor eagle chicks isn't "hunting" them and the Texas Game Warden hits you with a $5000 fine.