Hobbyist Drone Guidelines and FAA Regulations

Clearer hobbyist drone guidelines are needed

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Many drone hobbyists in the United States are well aware of the FAA Regulations but we need better Hobbyist Drone Guidelines.  These guidelines provide the following safety recommendations:

“Individuals flying for hobby or recreation are strongly encouraged to follow safety guidelines, which include:

• Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles
• Keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times
• Remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations
• Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport unless you contact the airport and control tower before flying
• Don’t fly near people or stadiums
• Don’t fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs
• Don’t be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft – you could be fined for endangering people or other aircraft”

We encourage people to embrace these FAA Regulations and the current Hobbyists Drone Guidelines  while enjoying this amazing hobby.  In fact, we encourage users to take these guidelines even further.  UAVs have a bad reputation with the American public and it is important that their use improve this reputation, no make it worse.  Our suggested hobbyist drone guidelines are:

• Always familiarize yourself with local and national laws.  Don’t copy the American tourist who thought it would be a good idea to fly their drone over Windsor Castle while the queen was home.
• Fly below 400 feet and maintain visual line of sign at all times.
• Do not fly near other people, stadiums, power stations, or any other public infrastructure.
• When flying in residential areas, or anytime you are flying near houses, seek permission of those around and ensure they understand how you are using the drone.  No one wants their privacy invaded.
• Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport ever.  Tower personnel have enough to deal with and the flying public does not need to worry about the impact of drones on their safety.
• Do not interfere with manned aircraft operations.  If the bullets above are followed this should never be an issue anyway.
• Don’t fly an aircraft that weighs more than 55 lbs
• Don’t be careless or reckless with your unmanned aircraft.

[Tweet “Be safe, be respectful, and have a great time. (Hobbyist #Drone Guidelines)”]

Be safe, be respectful, and have a great time.  These Hobbyist Guidelines, if followed, will help increase safety and improve the public perception of this market.

Interested in seeing what regulations are in place in different countries across the world?  Check out our guide, the current state of drone regulations.