be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc

## Drone Rules - Hoover Dam

**All drone operations are permanently prohibited** over Hoover Dam and its immediate surroundings under a permanent FAA NOTAM and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Act.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Las Vegas (KLAS) Class B airspace shelf extends toward the Lake Mead corridor
- Henderson Executive (KHND) Class D lies ~20 miles west
- Hoover Dam's permanent no-fly zone extends 1 nm radius and from surface to 18,000 ft MSL
- Bureau of Reclamation enforces the zone under 43 U.S.C. 373b

### Key Rules
- Permanent FAA no-fly zone — drone flights are federal violations regardless of altitude
- Bureau of Reclamation security officers can detain and cite drone operators
- Nevada and Arizona both have critical infrastructure drone laws
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area NPS rules apply to adjacent areas

### Source
- Bureau of Reclamation: https://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam

Because SoFi Stadium sits directly beneath the busy flight paths of Los Angeles International Airport, the surrounding air is designated as strict Class B controlled airspace. To enter this airspace, recreational and commercial pilots alike must utilize an FAA-approved application to request automated low-altitude authorization before takeoff. These digital flight grids often enforce a maximum altitude cap of zero feet immediately adjacent to the venue, meaning flights are frequently blocked entirely in the immediate vicinity. Furthermore, federal law establishes a temporary flight restriction that completely bans all unauthorized drones within a three-nautical-mile radius during high-capacity events. This restriction automatically applies to all NFL games, collegiate football games, and major concerts, starting sixty minutes prior to kickoff or showtime and lasting until sixty minutes after conclusion. On the ground, the Hollywood Park complex and SoFi Stadium structures are strictly private property, meaning launching or landing a drone from these plazas constitutes trespassing without written management consent. Operators must instead position themselves on public sidewalks or parks while ensuring their flight paths never cross over unprotected pedestrians or active traffic lanes. Violating any of these combined federal and local parameters can result in severe consequences, including equipment confiscation, the revocation of pilot licenses, and tens of thousands of dollars in civil penalties.

## Drone Rules - SoFi Stadium

**All drone operations are prohibited** within the FAA Stadium TFR active during NFL games. LA Class B airspace adds additional regulatory restrictions above and beyond the TFR.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) Class B airspace surface area begins ~3 miles SW
- KLAX Class B inner shelves overlay the stadium at low altitudes
- Hawthorne Municipal Airport (KHHR) Class D lies 2 miles east
- Stadium TFR 3 nm radius, surface to 30,000 ft, 1 hour before/after games

### Key Rules
- Active KLAX LAANC authorization required for airspace; stadium TFR adds further prohibition
- Los Angeles County ordinance prohibits drone takeoffs within stadium grounds
- Super Bowl events trigger expanded TFRs beyond the standard 3 nm
- California Penal Code 402.5 makes drone interference a misdemeanor

### Source
- FAA TFR: https://tfr.faa.gov

## FAA facility airspace restriction















            This area appears in FAA_FS_UAS source data. Drone pilots should verify current FAA requirements, LAANC availability, altitude limits, temporary restrictions, and local conditions before flight.


            This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.

## Drone Rules - Fort Wainwright

**All civilian UAS operations are prohibited** within Fort Wainwright and Ladd Army Airfield (PAFA) without DoD authorization.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Ladd AAF (PAFA) Class D; Fairbanks International Airport (PAFA) Class C adjacent
- 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team conducts Arctic warfare training across interior Alaska
- Yukon Training Area extends hundreds of miles; aviation and live-fire operations are constant
- Extreme cold weather (-40F+) creates unique UAS battery and control challenges

### Key Rules
- No civilian UAS without installation authorization
- Training ranges span Tanana Flats and use Class G uncontrolled airspace extensively
- Alaska Fish & Wildlife rules apply to any drone use near fish and game areas
- Military UAS including RQ-7 Shadow operate from Ladd AAF during exercises

### Source
- Fort Wainwright: https://home.army.mil/wainwright

## Drone Rules - Fort Irwin NTC

**All civilian UAS operations are prohibited** within Fort Irwin and the National Training Center (KBYS) without DoD authorization.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Bicycle Lake Army Airfield (KBYS) Class D from surface in remote Mojave Desert
- 642,000 acres of desert training area with artillery ranges, maneuver areas, and aviation corridors
- AH-64 Apache, UH-60, CH-47, and fixed-wing tactical aircraft operate simultaneously
- Army fields Gray Eagle (MQ-1C) and RQ-7 Shadow UAS during rotational exercises

### Key Rules
- No civilian UAS in training area without installation authorization
- Live artillery and mortar firing is nearly continuous during rotation periods
- Military UAS operations create airspace congestion; civilian drones add collision risk
- Death Valley National Park lies directly north; NPS drone rules apply at the boundary

### Source
- Fort Irwin NTC: https://home.army.mil/irwin

Class D airspace 4NM radius from KLFI TACAN. Not LAANC enabled, but a Certificate of Authorization or Waiver can be granted through FAA DroneZone.


















COAs can be granted for one year. By rules of the COA, you must call KLFI tower prior to launch and upon grounding. When KLFI tower is not in operation, you must call KNTU tower. 

## Drone Rules - JB Langley-Eustis

**All UAS operations are prohibited** within Langley AFB (KLFI) and Fort Eustis (KPHF) without DoD authorization.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Langley AFB (KLFI) Class D; Newport News/Williamsburg (KPHF) Class D adjacent
- Norfolk Class B (KORF) shelf extends over the Hampton Roads region
- 1st Fighter Wing F-22 Raptor operations; Air Combat Command HQ
- Chesapeake Bay approach corridors involve over-water flight paths near civilian areas

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USAF/Army installation authorization
- Norfolk/Hampton Roads LAANC required for airspace compliance in adjacent Class B
- F-22 low-observable operations are classified; photo/video drones create security risk
- Virginia Code 18.2-323.02 prohibits UAS over military installations

### Source
- JB Langley-Eustis: https://home.army.mil/langley-eustis

## Drone Rules - NAS Whidbey Island

**All UAS operations are prohibited** within NAS Whidbey Island (KNUW) without DoD authorization. Electronic warfare training makes radio frequency interference from civilian UAS operationally hazardous.

### Airspace / Site Context
- NAS Whidbey Island (KNUW) Class D from surface on Whidbey Island, WA
- Restricted Areas R-6703 A/B/C extend over the Strait of Juan de Fuca for EW training
- EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft training creates significant radio frequency emissions
- Seattle-Tacoma Airport (KSEA) Class B shelf begins ~50 miles south

### Key Rules
- No UAS without Navy installation authorization
- Growler EW training may disrupt GPS and radio control signals for nearby UAS
- Whidbey Island residents have complained about noise; drone conflicts with Navy add sensitivity
- Washington state law RCW 9A.82.010 prohibits interference with military operations

### Source
- NAS Whidbey Island: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/whidbey-island

## Drone Rules - Fort Cavazos / Fort Hood

**All civilian UAS operations are prohibited** within Fort Cavazos and Robert Gray Army Airfield (KGRK) without DoD authorization.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Robert Gray Army Airfield (KGRK) Class D from surface; Killeen-Fort Hood Regional (KILLEEN) nearby
- 1st Cavalry Division and III Corps operate combined arms exercises across 214,000 acres
- 1st Air Cavalry Brigade AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk operations are constant
- Army owns and operates MQ-1C Gray Eagle UAS — military drone ops take priority

### Key Rules
- No civilian UAS without installation authorization
- Live-fire training ranges are active daily; artillery and aviation ordinance create hazards
- Military UAS operations have active airspace reservations that civilian drones must avoid
- Texas Penal Code 423.0045 prohibits UAS over military installations

### Source
- Fort Cavazos: https://home.army.mil/cavazos

## Drone Rules - Fort Campbell

**All civilian UAS operations are prohibited** within Fort Campbell and Campbell Army Airfield (KHOP) without DoD authorization.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Campbell Army Airfield (KHOP) Class D from surface with extensive military airspace
- Clarksville/Montgomery County Airport (KCKV) Class D 5 miles NE
- 101st Airborne Division air assault operations involve dense UH-60 and CH-47 helicopter traffic
- 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Night Stalkers) based at Fort Campbell

### Key Rules
- No UAS without written installation authorization; security patrols enforce perimeter
- Night Stalker operations are classified; drone surveillance is a serious security threat
- Tennessee and Kentucky both have state laws prohibiting UAS over military installations
- 10 U.S.C. 130i authorizes commanders to disable UAS deemed threats

### Source
- Fort Campbell: https://home.army.mil/campbell

## FAA facility airspace restriction















            This area appears in FAA_FS_UAS source data. Drone pilots should verify current FAA requirements, LAANC availability, altitude limits, temporary restrictions, and local conditions before flight.


            This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.

## Drone Rules - NAS Patuxent River

**All UAS operations are prohibited** within NAS Patuxent River (KNHK) and adjacent restricted airspace. Classified and developmental aircraft systems operate here daily.

### Airspace / Site Context
- NAS Pax River (KNHK) Class D from surface with Restricted Area R-4006 to the south
- Washington SFRA extends north toward this installation
- Naval Air Warfare Center tests F-35, electronic warfare, and classified UAV programs
- Chesapeake Bay test range extends miles over water

### Key Rules
- No UAS without Navy/NAWCAD authorization; restricted area R-4006 is frequently hot
- Test flight corridors over the Chesapeake Bay require coordination with Pax River tower
- P-40 National Security Area influence zone requires enhanced security screening
- Maryland state law prohibits UAS over critical infrastructure

### Source
- NAS Patuxent River: https://www.navair.navy.mil/nawcad

## Drone Rules - Naval Station Norfolk

**All UAS operations are prohibited** within Naval Station Norfolk (KNGU) and adjacent waters. Photography of naval vessels and aircraft from UAS is a federal crime.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Norfolk International Airport (KORF) Class C airspace adjacent; Norfolk Class B (KORV) overhead
- Naval Station hosts up to 75 ships including nuclear-powered aircraft carriers
- P-40 National Security Area overlies portions of the Hampton Roads naval complex
- F/A-18 carrier air wings operate from NAS Oceana (KNTU) 10 miles east

### Key Rules
- No UAS within NSA boundaries; immediate security response to violations
- Photography of carrier flight decks, weapon systems, or submarine piers is prohibited by 18 U.S.C. 795
- Norfolk LAANC required for Part 107 operations in the Class C airspace
- Virginia Code 18.2-323.02 prohibits UAS over correctional, military, and critical facilities

### Source
- Naval Station Norfolk: https://www.cnic.navy.mil/norfolk

## Drone Rules - Fort Liberty / Fort Bragg

**All civilian UAS operations are prohibited** within Fort Liberty and Pope Army Airfield (KPOB) airspace without DoD authorization.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Pope Field (KPOB) Class D from surface; military tower active 24/7
- Fayetteville Regional Airport (KFAY) Class C lies 10 miles SE
- 82nd Airborne Division conducts frequent mass parachute operations over the installation
- Special Forces units conduct classified exercises; airspace above is security-sensitive

### Key Rules
- No UAS without written DoD/installation authorization
- Temporary flight restrictions activate during airborne operations
- UAS detected above installation trigger immediate security response
- 10 U.S.C. 130i authorizes military to disable UAS deemed security threats

### Source
- Fort Liberty: https://home.army.mil/liberty

## Drone Rules - Joint Base Andrews

**UAS operations are absolutely prohibited** in and around Joint Base Andrews. The base is within the Washington SFRA and subject to P-56 prohibited area rules; intercept orders are standing.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Washington Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) encompasses the entire metro region
- Prohibited Area P-56 over the National Capital covers adjacent airspace
- KADW hosts 89th Airlift Wing — Air Force One, Air Force Two, and VIP transport
- Class D airspace from surface to 2,500 ft AGL; inner ring no-drone zone extends miles beyond

### Key Rules
- No drone operations within 30 nm of DCA without SFRA authorization
- Armed intercept aircraft are on 24/7 alert; unauthorized aircraft will be intercepted
- Security TFRs activate for all presidential movements; violations are federal crimes
- 49 U.S.C. 46307 imposes up to $250,000 fines and 3 years imprisonment

### Source
- FAA SFRA: https://www.faasafety.gov/sfra/

## Drone Rules - Yukon Delta NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required for any UAS activity.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Bethel Airport (PABE) Class D airspace serves as the main gateway
- Refuge encompasses 19.6 million acres of Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta
- Over 180 million birds nest or use the delta annually — one of the world's great waterbird areas
- Emperor Goose, Spectacled Eider, and Steller's Eider (ESA threatened) nest here

### Key Rules
- No drone operations without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Spectacled Eider and Steller's Eider critical nesting habitat; FAA Special Notice coordinates
- Alaska Native subsistence hunting and fishing rights take precedence; drone interference prohibited
- Weather TFRs common; Class G uncontrolled airspace requires extra vigilance

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/yukon-delta

## Drone Rules - Kodiak NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015) without a Special Use Permit.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Kodiak State Airport (PADQ) Class D airspace at refuge gateway
- Refuge spans 1.9 million acres on Kodiak, Afognak, and Uganik Islands
- Highest density Kodiak brown bear population worldwide; ~3,500 bears on Kodiak Island
- Alaska Department of Fish & Game manages bear-viewing areas with strict protocols

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit; bear-viewing areas have heightened restrictions
- Steller Sea Lion (ESA delisted western DPS, ESA threatened eastern DPS) haul-outs on coast
- Bald Eagle nesting trees (BGEPA protected) throughout refuge; 200 ft buffer required
- Remote wilderness travel requires float plane or boat; drone pursuit of bears or bears of bears is prosecuted under federal law

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kodiak

## Drone Rules - Anahuac NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Houston Executive Airport (KEFD) Class D and Houston/Ellington Airport nearby
- Houston Class B airspace (KIAH) shelf extends over refuge at higher altitudes
- Refuge encompasses 34,000 acres of coastal prairie and tidal marsh
- American Alligators up to 14 feet are abundant; aerial drones agitate defensive behavior

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Mottled Duck (Gulf Coast subspecies, species of concern) nests in dense marsh grass
- Wintering Whooping Cranes (ESA endangered) from Aransas NWR forage in adjacent areas
- Houston Class B LAANC authorization required for airspace compliance regardless of NWR rules

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/anahuac

## Drone Rules - Laguna Atascosa NWR, Texas

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 and ESA protections for ocelot (endangered) and aplomado falcon (endangered).

### Airspace / Site Context
- Ocelot population (~80 individuals in the US) depends on dense thornscrub cover; drone noise and shadow cause documented flight responses in ocelot camera trap footage
- Brownsville/South Padre Island International (BRO) Class C is ~30 NM south; the Rio Grande Valley is heavily trafficked by CBP surveillance aircraft
- CBP Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) operates near the border; pilots must avoid the TARS cable and exclusion zones


### Key Rules
- Ocelot habitat disturbance is treated as a potential ESA Section 9 take; the USFWS ocelot recovery plan prescribes strict no-drone buffers
- CBP TARS exclusion zones may overlap the southern portion of the refuge; check NOTAMs before any flight near the Rio Grande
- USFWS Special Use Permit required for research; ocelot-related permits require USFWS ocelot recovery coordinator approval


### Source
- USFWS Laguna Atascosa: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna-atascosa

## Drone Rules - Laguna Atascosa NWR

**All drone operations are strictly prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required; Ocelot habitat sensitivity makes permits rarely approved.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Valley International Airport (KHRL) Class C airspace lies ~20 miles NW
- Refuge spans 97,000 acres on the southern Texas coast near the Laguna Madre
- Less than 80 Ocelots remain in the US, concentrated in this refuge and adjacent private lands
- Northern Aplomado Falcon (ESA endangered) reintroduced here in 1980s-1990s

### Key Rules
- Absolute prohibition on UAS operations; no exceptions for casual photography
- Ocelot activity areas are never disclosed to the public to prevent disturbance
- Aplomado Falcon nest sites closed 0.5-mile buffer radius during breeding season
- ESA Section 9 take prohibition applies to any drone-induced Ocelot disturbance

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/laguna-atascosa

## Drone Rules - Malheur NWR, Oregon

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Up to 400 bird species recorded; greater sandhill crane pairs require 500-ft minimum disturbance distance during nesting (April-July)
- Steens Mountain and the Blitzen Valley create strong orographic updrafts that push small UAS off course rapidly
- Burns Municipal (BNO) Class G; no controlled airspace within the refuge


### Key Rules
- The refuge headquarters at Frenchglen is 60 miles from Burns -- no cell service; download offline B4UFLY before leaving town
- Snowy plover (threatened) and long-billed curlew nest on the dry lake beds in the southern refuge
- USFWS Special Use Permit required; scientific research applications go to USFWS Oregon State Office in Portland


### Source
- USFWS Malheur: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/malheur

## Drone Rules - Malheur NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015) without a Special Use Permit.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Burns Municipal Airport (KBNO) uncontrolled field lies ~30 miles NW
- Refuge spans 187,757 acres in the remote Great Basin high desert
- Elevation 4,090 ft MSL; terrain includes Malheur Lake, Harney Lake, and Blitzen Valley
- Critically important for Greater Sandhill Crane and Trumpeter Swan nesting

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Sandhill Crane nesting areas closed to all disturbance March-August
- Snowy Plover (ESA threatened) nests on exposed mudflats
- FAA TFRs may be issued during wildfire season (June-September)

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/malheur

## Drone Rules - Medicine Lake NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required for any UAS activity.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Remote northeastern Montana near the Canadian border
- Wolf Point Airport (KOLF) Class D lies ~40 miles SE
- Refuge encompasses 31,457 acres of prairie lakes, marshes, and uplands
- American White Pelican colony of 4,000-5,000 nesting pairs is the largest in the northern plains

### Key Rules
- No drone launches or landings within refuge boundaries
- Pelican colony disturbance triggers nest abandonment; colony areas closed May-August
- Eared Grebe, Franklin's Gull, and Double-crested Cormorant also nest colonially
- Whooping Crane (ESA endangered) may use refuge during migration

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/medicine-lake

## Drone Rules - Swan Lake NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015) without a Special Use Permit.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Chillicothe Airport (KCHV) uncontrolled field lies ~15 miles north
- Refuge encompasses 10,795 acres including Swan Lake and Sumner Lake impoundments
- Peak staging periods October-November see hundreds of thousands of waterfowl
- Federally threatened Greater White-fronted Goose uses refuge during migration

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Drone disturbance of staging waterfowl violates Migratory Bird Treaty Act
- Fall hunting seasons make additional safety considerations mandatory
- Missouri Department of Conservation concurrently manages adjacent state lands

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/swan-lake

## Drone Rules - Piedmont NWR

**All UAS operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Middle Georgia Regional Airport (KMLJ) Class D lies ~20 miles SE
- Refuge spans 35,000 acres of longleaf and loblolly pine forest in Jones and Jasper Counties
- One of six NWR managed specifically for Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) recovery
- Over 100 active RCW cavity trees marked and monitored by USFWS staff

### Key Rules
- No drone operations without Special Use Permit
- Red-cockaded Woodpecker (ESA endangered) nest cavities are federal critical habitat
- Cavity-tree buffer zones prohibit any disturbance within 200 feet
- Controlled burns occur regularly; drones prohibited during and after burns

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/piedmont

## Drone Rules - Canaan Valley NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015) without a Special Use Permit.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Remote high-elevation valley at 3,200-3,500 ft MSL in Tucker County, WV
- Elkins Regional Airport (KEKN) Class D lies ~30 miles south
- Refuge encompasses 16,685 acres including bogs, shrub wetlands, and spruce forests
- Functionally isolated ecosystem with numerous rare plant and invertebrate species

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit
- ESA-listed Indiana Bat hibernates in caves adjacent to refuge October-April
- West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel (ESA delisted 2008) sensitive habitat
- Adjacent Canaan Valley Resort State Park also prohibits drone operations

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/canaan-valley

## Drone Rules - Rachel Carson NWR

**All UAS operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). Special Use Permit required for any exception.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Portland International Jetport (KPWM) Class C airspace lies ~20 miles NE of headquarters
- Refuge consists of 11 noncontiguous units along the southern Maine coast
- Encompasses salt marshes, barrier beaches, and upland areas totaling 14,600 acres
- ESA-listed Piping Plover nests on refuge beaches April-August

### Key Rules
- No drone launches or landings anywhere within refuge boundaries
- Piping Plover and Least Tern nesting colonies have strict April-August buffer zones
- Atlantic Salmon (ESA endangered) rivers adjacent to refuge units
- Maine state law independently prohibits drone harassment of wildlife

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel-carson

## Drone Rules - Prime Hook NWR

**All drone operations are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015) without a Special Use Permit.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Delaware Bay corridor is one of the highest-density shorebird stopover zones in the Western Hemisphere
- Georgetown/Sussex County Airport (KGED) Class D lies ~8 miles west
- Refuge spans 10,144 acres of freshwater marsh, beach, and forest
- Critical foraging habitat for American Black Duck, a species of conservation concern

### Key Rules
- No UAS without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Piping Plover (ESA threatened) nesting beaches closed drone operations spring-summer
- Refuge boundary overlaps Delaware Seashore State Park; both agencies prohibit drones
- Waterfowl hunting season adds safety considerations fall-winter

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/prime-hook

## Drone Rules - Bombay Hook NWR, Delaware

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210.

### Airspace / Site Context
- 16,251-acre tidal marsh; peak snow goose staging in November can reach 100,000 birds on the impoundments
- Dover AFB (DOV) Class D is ~10 NM southwest; Dover handles C-17 Globemaster traffic at low altitude over Kent County
- Red knot (threatened) spring staging (May) overlaps with Delaware Bay horseshoe crab spawn; population-level impacts from disturbance are documented


### Key Rules
- Dover AFB NOTAMs include low-level military flight corridors that extend northeast over the refuge
- USFWS Special Use Permit required for research UAS; red knot staging season (May) permits are subject to USFWS shorebird biologist review
- The Wildlife Drive auto tour loop skirts all four impoundments; launching from the drive road is a federal violation


### Source
- USFWS Bombay Hook: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bombay-hook

## Drone Rules - Bombay Hook NWR

**All drone launches, landings, and flights are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210 (2015). A Special Use Permit is required for any UAS operation.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Dover AFB Class D airspace (KDOV) lies ~12 miles SW; Class D floor 0 ft AGL
- Dover AFB airspace is active with C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift operations
- Refuge encompasses 16,251 acres of tidal marsh, pools, and upland
- Up to 150,000 shorebirds and 70,000 waterfowl use the refuge annually

### Key Rules
- No drone operations without USFWS Special Use Permit
- Federally threatened Rufa Red Knot (ESA Section 9) nests and forages here
- Shorebird staging areas have zero-tolerance disturbance policy April-May
- Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife also enforces state wildlife protection

### Source
- USFWS: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bombay-hook

## Drone Rules - Patuxent Research Refuge

**Drone use is prohibited** at Patuxent Research Refuge.






### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within refuge boundaries
- Research drones require a Special Use Permit coordinated with refuge research staff
- The refuge is the only one in the NWR system dedicated to wildlife research; unauthorized drones compromise scientific studies

### Source
- FWS Refuge Regulations: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent

## Drone Rules - Patuxent Research Refuge, Maryland

**Drones are prohibited** under USFWS Director's Order 210; Fort Meade (P-40) prohibited area and NSA campus airspace create additional restrictions.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Located ~20 NM northeast of Washington DC; DCA Class B extends northward and the P-40 NSA prohibited area is immediately adjacent
- The refuge is operated as an active research facility (wildlife disease lab, captive crane program); unauthorized airspace intrusion affects ongoing experiments
- Baltimore/Washington International (BWI) Class B is ~10 NM north; P-40 prohibited area is ~2 NM west

### Key Rules
- P-40 (NSA campus) prohibited area: absolute no-fly at any altitude -- adjacent to the refuge boundary
- BWI Class B and DCA Class B both reach toward Patuxent; LAANC required and most grid squares authorize 0 ft AGL
- Research facility: USFWS Special Use Permit required; additionally requires concurrence from the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center director

### Source
- USFWS Patuxent: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/patuxent-research