jaystechvault

This park supports large numbers of visitors and contains open recreation areas where drones can create hazards. Drone use may interfere with people, events, and park operations.

This refuge protects wetlands and important migratory bird habitats in western Montana. Drone use can disturb nesting birds and disrupt feeding patterns.

This WMA provides important habitat for elk, deer, and upland birds in southeast Idaho. Drone activity can disturb wildlife, especially during winter and breeding seasons.

This refuge protects wetlands and wildlife habitats important for birds and other species. Drones can disrupt nesting and feeding behavior.

This refuge protects marshes and wetlands used by migratory birds and nesting species. Drone activity can easily disturb wildlife in these sensitive habitats.

Major high-elevation wetland that supports huge populations of migratory birds, including sandhill cranes. Drone noise can disrupt nesting and feeding behavior across large areas.

## Drone Rules - Mount Rainier National Park


**Drones are not permitted** in Mount Rainier National Park.

### Key Rules
- All recreational drone flights are banned park-wide
- Commercial media requires a Special Use Permit
- Glacier hazards and sensitive alpine ecosystems make drone enforcement a priority

### Source
- Mount Rainier NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/rules.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

## Drone Rules - Congaree National Park

**Drone use is prohibited** in Congaree National Park.

### Key Rules
- No recreational drone flights within the park
- Commercial use requires a Special Use Permit from park administration
- The largest intact expanse of old-growth bottomland hardwood forest in the US is protected

### Source
- Congaree NPS Rules: https://www.nps.gov/cong/planyourvisit/rules.htm

https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

North Carolina allows drone use, but pilots must follow both FAA rules and North Carolina state law. NCDOT says the FAA has exclusive authority over U.S. airspace, while NCDOT manages state-law rules concerning drone operations inside North Carolina. North Carolina also no longer requires commercial or government drone operators to obtain a separate N.C. drone permit as of December 1, 2024.

1. No separate North Carolina commercial drone permit

North Carolina previously had a state permitting system for commercial and government drone operators. That statewide N.C. permit requirement has been removed. As of December 1, 2024, commercial and government drone operators no longer need a separate N.C. permit, but they still need to comply with FAA rules and applicable state laws.

For DroneMap wording, this means you should not tell users they need a North Carolina commercial drone permit. They need the proper FAA authority, usually Part 107 for non-recreational use.

2. FAA rules still apply in North Carolina

North Carolina does not replace FAA rules. Pilots still need to follow FAA requirements for things like registration, Remote ID, airspace authorization, altitude limits, visual line of sight, recreational vs. Part 107 status, night rules, and operations over people.

A simple page summary could say: “Drone flights in North Carolina are generally allowed when conducted under FAA rules, but state law adds restrictions related to privacy, property access, prisons, wildfire response, hunting, weapons, and interference with manned aircraft.”

3. Privacy and surveillance restrictions

North Carolina prohibits using a drone to conduct surveillance of a person, an occupied dwelling and its curtilage, or private real property without the required consent. The statute also restricts photographing an individual without consent for the purpose of publishing or otherwise disseminating the image.

NCDOT summarizes this as: it is illegal to use a drone to take or distribute images of a person or their home without consent.

There are exceptions, including certain law enforcement uses, search warrants, imminent danger situations, missing-person searches, public gatherings, and emergency management uses. For private pilots, the safe practical rule is: do not use a drone to spy on people, homes, yards, or private property, and be careful about publishing images of identifiable people without consent.

4. Private and state property launch/recovery consent

North Carolina law says a drone may not be launched from or recovered on state or private property without consent. Local governments may also regulate drone launch and recovery from property they own.

This is important because FAA airspace rules and property-access rules are different. Even when airspace is legal, the pilot may still need permission to take off from or land on the property.

Suggested DroneMap wording: “North Carolina restricts where you may launch or recover a drone. You generally need consent to launch from or land on private or state property.”

5. Prisons, jails, and correctional facilities

North Carolina prohibits drone use within either 500 feet horizontally or 250 feet vertically of a local confinement facility or state/federal correctional facility, unless an exception applies.

Exceptions include written consent from the official in charge, certain law enforcement operations, emergency response, and some utility/provider/commercial operations that meet specific conditions. Violations can be serious: ordinary violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor with a $500 fine, while delivery or attempted delivery of weapons or contraband can become a felony with higher fines.

For a public-facing drone rules page: “Do not fly near prisons, jails, or correctional facilities in North Carolina unless you have specific legal authorization.”

6. Wildfires and forest fires

North Carolina prohibits drones within 3,000 feet horizontally or 3,000 feet vertically of a forest fire under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Forest Service, unless an exception applies.

This rule is strict because drones can interfere with firefighting aircraft and emergency operations. Penalties can range from a Class A1 misdemeanor to serious felonies if the drone interferes with emergency operations or causes injury, death, or property damage.

Suggested wording: “Never fly near wildfire or forest fire response activity unless you are directly authorized by the official in charge.”

7. No weaponized drones

North Carolina makes it a Class E felony to possess or use an unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft system with a weapon attached. NCDOT also summarizes this as: attaching a weapon to a UAS is a Class E felony.

For plain-language rules: “Do not attach weapons or weapon-like objects to a drone in North Carolina.”

8. Hunting, fishing, and wildlife interference

North Carolina law restricts drone use related to hunting and fishing. NCDOT says operators may not use a drone to disrupt wildlife resources or the lawful taking of wildlife, and may not use a drone in the process of taking wildlife resources.

The North Carolina statute on wildlife harassment makes it unlawful to intentionally interfere with lawful hunting or disturb wildlife for the purpose of disrupting lawful taking, and it specifically says using a drone to violate that section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Plain-language version: “Do not use a drone to hunt, fish, locate game for taking, harass wildlife, or interfere with lawful hunting or fishing.”

9. No interference with manned aircraft

North Carolina separately prohibits damaging, disrupting, or otherwise interfering with a manned aircraft using a drone. NCDOT summarizes this as: operators may not damage, disrupt the operation of, or otherwise interfere with manned flights.

This overlaps with FAA rules, but North Carolina also treats it as a state-law offense. For users: “Always yield to airplanes and helicopters. Land immediately if your drone could interfere with manned aircraft.”

10. Local rules may still apply

North Carolina state law allows local governments to regulate launch and recovery from property owned by that local government. That means cities, counties, parks, schools, universities, and public agencies may have their own property-use rules even when the FAA airspace is otherwise flyable.

1. Two main legal categories: recreational vs. Part 107

FAA rules generally split small drone flying into two buckets:

Recreational flying means flying only for personal enjoyment. The FAA treats this under the “Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.” Recreational pilots must follow the recreational rules, including TRUST, registration when required, visual line of sight, airspace authorization where needed, and altitude limits.

Part 107 flying covers most non-recreational drone operations, including business, commercial work, paid jobs, inspections, real estate photos, volunteering for an organization, public safety work, education, and many other non-hobby uses. The FAA describes Part 107 as the default rule for civil small UAS operations under 55 pounds.

A simple way to phrase it: if the flight is not purely for fun, assume Part 107 applies.

2. Drone weight and registration

Small UAS rules generally apply to drones under 55 pounds. Under Part 107, every drone used must be registered, and the FAA registration number must be marked on the drone.

For recreational flyers, drones weighing 250 grams / 0.55 lb or more must be registered. Recreational pilots must also mark the drone with the registration number and carry proof of registration when flying.

3. Remote ID

If a drone is required to be registered, or has been registered, it generally must comply with Remote ID. Remote ID broadcasts identification and location information so the FAA, law enforcement, and other agencies can identify a drone and its control station when needed.

There are generally three ways to comply:

Use a drone with built-in Standard Remote ID.
Add an FAA-compliant Remote ID broadcast module.
Fly without Remote ID only inside an FAA-recognized identification area, usually called a FRIA.

If using a broadcast module, the operator must be able to see the drone throughout the flight.

4. TRUST for recreational pilots

All recreational flyers must pass TRUST, the Recreational UAS Safety Test, and carry proof of passage when flying. The FAA says recreational flyers must provide proof if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel.

TRUST is not the same as a Part 107 certificate. TRUST is for recreational pilots; Part 107 is for non-recreational operations.

5. Part 107 certificate for non-recreational flying

To fly under Part 107, the remote pilot in command must generally hold a Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating, or the person manipulating the controls must be directly supervised by someone who does.

Part 107 is required for most drone work or business use. The FAA specifically says small drones under 55 pounds can be flown for work or business by following Part 107.

6. Visual line of sight

For both recreational flying and most Part 107 flying, the drone must remain within visual line of sight. This means the pilot or visual observer must be able to see the drone unaided except for corrective lenses. The operator must be able to know its location, attitude, altitude, direction, observe nearby air traffic or hazards, and avoid endangering people or property.

A visual observer can be used, but they must maintain effective communication with the remote pilot and be able to see the drone.

7. Maximum altitude

The broad rule is 400 feet above ground level.

For recreational flyers, the FAA says to fly at or below 400 feet in Class G uncontrolled airspace, and to follow FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace.

For Part 107, the drone cannot fly higher than 400 feet above ground level unless it is within a 400-foot radius of a structure and does not fly more than 400 feet above the structure’s uppermost limit.

8. Controlled airspace and LAANC

Drone pilots need FAA authorization before flying in controlled airspace such as Class B, Class C, Class D, or surface Class E airspace designated for an airport. Recreational pilots typically get authorization through LAANC or DroneZone.

Part 107 similarly prohibits operation in Class B, C, D, or airport-surface Class E airspace without prior ATC authorization.

Important practical point: an airport being nearby does not automatically mean “no drone flight,” but controlled airspace, altitude grids, airport traffic patterns, and local restrictions matter.

9. Airports, aircraft, and right-of-way

Drones must not interfere with manned aircraft. Recreational flyers must give way to and not interfere with other aircraft.

Under Part 107, drones must yield right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch/reentry vehicles, and may not pass over, under, or ahead of them unless well clear. Drone pilots also cannot fly so close to another aircraft that they create a collision hazard.

Drone pilots also may not operate in a way that interferes with operations or traffic patterns at any airport, heliport, or seaplane base.

10. Prohibited, restricted, and temporary flight restriction areas

Drone pilots cannot fly in prohibited or restricted areas without permission from the controlling agency. They must also comply with applicable temporary flight restrictions, including restrictions near disasters, security events, VIP movements, stadiums, and other special notices.

This is why a drone can be legal under the normal FAA rules but still illegal at a specific place or time because of a TFR, national security restriction, or special airspace notice.

11. Flying over people

Under Part 107, you generally cannot fly over people unless they are directly participating in the operation, are under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that gives reasonable protection, or the drone/operation meets one of the FAA’s permitted operations-over-people categories.

This is a major distinction: “I am under 400 feet” does not automatically mean “I can fly over crowds.”

12. Night flying

Part 107 night operations are allowed only if the pilot has completed the required updated knowledge test or training, and the drone has anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles with a sufficient flash rate. The same lighting requirement applies during civil twilight.

Recreational night flying also needs to follow recreational safety guidance and airspace rules, and in practice pilots should use anti-collision lighting and avoid unsafe conditions.

13. Speed, visibility, and clouds under Part 107

Under Part 107, the drone may not exceed 100 mph / 87 knots. Flight visibility from the control station must be at least 3 statute miles. The drone must remain at least 500 feet below clouds and 2,000 feet horizontally from clouds.

14. No careless or reckless operation

Part 107 prohibits operating a drone in a careless or reckless manner that endangers life or property. It also prohibits dropping objects from a drone in a way that creates an undue hazard.

Recreational flyers also may not operate in a way that endangers the safety of the national airspace system, and FAA enforcement can apply for dangerous or noncompliant flying.

15. Preflight responsibilities

Before a Part 107 flight, the remote pilot must assess the operating environment, including weather, airspace, flight restrictions, people and property on the surface, and ground hazards. The pilot must also ensure participants know their roles and emergency procedures, confirm control links work, ensure sufficient power, and make sure attached objects are secure.

In plain terms: the FAA expects pilots to check the location, airspace, conditions, people nearby, aircraft risk, battery, equipment, and emergency plan before flying.

16. Moving vehicles, multiple drones, hazardous materials

Under Part 107, you generally cannot operate from a moving aircraft. You also cannot operate from a moving land or water vehicle unless the drone is flown over a sparsely populated area and is not transporting another person’s property for compensation or hire.

One person may not act as remote pilot, visual observer, or manipulate controls for more than one drone at the same time. A small drone may not carry hazardous material.

17. Accident reporting under Part 107

A Part 107 remote pilot must report certain serious accidents to the FAA within 10 calendar days, including operations involving serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage over the FAA’s listed threshold.

18. Waivers

Some Part 107 limits can be waived if the pilot applies and shows the FAA the operation can still be conducted safely. Waivers are official FAA approvals to operate outside certain normal Part 107 limitations.

Common waiver-related areas include operations beyond visual line of sight, certain operations over people, some airspace or operational limits, and other advanced use cases. The key point is that you need the waiver before doing the otherwise-prohibited operation.

## 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.

## 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.

Drones shall not be operated on JCCC property or at JCCC programs and activities without prior approval from the College following submission of a JCCC Drone Flight Request/Registration Form. 

https://www.jccc.edu/about/leadership-governance/policies/administrative-services/facilities-property/procedure-drone.htmlcommunity and may need additional community review.

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm

##
This action applies to the launching, landing, and operation of uncrewed aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS. Jurisdiction by the NPS ends at the park boundary. The policy memorandum does not modify any requirement imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the use or operation of uncrewed aircraft in the National Airspace System.
 
https://www.nps.gov/articles/uncrewed-aircraft-in-the-national-parks.htm