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Drone Rules for Palo Verde Generating Power Station

Tonopah, Arizona (AZ) • United States
5801 S Wintersburg Rd, Tonopah, AZ 85354, USA
Lat: 33.3826 • Lng: -112.861

Rules Edit History: Palo Verde Generating Power Station

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May 30, 2026 11:26 AM Approved • Added NRC drone prohibition for Palo Verde Nuclear Station with 3,937 MW largest US capacity, Arizona ARS 13-3729, and armed security shoot-down authority.
Author: be5f5cb8-9839-4827-98b3-c519aa546acc (1118)
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Approved Confidence: 0.99
Your proposed edit detailing the drone restrictions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station has been approved. This aligns with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) regulations, which prohibit unauthorized access to protected areas, including airspace above nuclear facilities. The added context regarding the plant's capacity and security measures enhances understanding of the area's drone flight considerations. The outline has been updated to accurately represent the restricted area.
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Rule category Air Ground
Summary FAA controlled airspace restriction. Review current FAA data and authorization requirements before flying. Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station is the largest nuclear power plant in the US by generating capacity and is subject to strict NRC no-fly security zones. All drone operations are prohibited under federal law.
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## FAA airspace facility restriction















            This area appears in FAA_NS_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.
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## Drone Rules - Palo Verde Nuclear Station

**All drone operations are prohibited** within Palo Verde's security zones under NRC 10 CFR Part 73 regulations.

### Airspace / Site Context
- Phoenix Sky Harbor (KPHX) Class B inner shelf begins ~30 miles east
- Buckeye Municipal Airport (KBXK) Class D lies ~15 miles SE
- Plant generates 3,937 MW — largest nuclear power output in the US
- Three pressurized water reactors; security zone extends outward from each reactor building

### Key Rules
- NRC requires facility to use all available means to prevent UAS access to protected areas
- FAA NOTAM may designate temporary flight restrictions over the plant
- Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3729 prohibits UAS over critical public infrastructure
- Armed security forces on site 24/7 with authority to disable or shoot down threatening UAS

### Source
- NRC: https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/pvn.html
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+ **All drone operations are prohibited** within Palo Verde's security zones under NRC 10 CFR Part 73 regulations.
+ 
+ ### Airspace / Site Context
+ - Phoenix Sky Harbor (KPHX) Class B inner shelf begins ~30 miles east
+ - Buckeye Municipal Airport (KBXK) Class D lies ~15 miles SE
+ - Plant generates 3,937 MW — largest nuclear power output in the US
+ - Three pressurized water reactors; security zone extends outward from each reactor building
+ 
+ ### Key Rules
+ - NRC requires facility to use all available means to prevent UAS access to protected areas
+ - FAA NOTAM may designate temporary flight restrictions over the plant
+ - Arizona Revised Statutes 13-3729 prohibits UAS over critical public infrastructure
+ - Armed security forces on site 24/7 with authority to disable or shoot down threatening UAS
  
+ - NRC: https://www.nrc.gov/info-finder/reactors/pvn.html
  
-             This page is based on imported FAA data and may need additional community review.
May 16, 2026 1:49 PM Approved • FAA import FAA_NS_UAS:20240823-DOE-APSE-Palo Verde Generating Station
Author: jaystechvault (11074)
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Rule category — Air
Flight status — NoFly
Summary — FAA controlled airspace restriction. Review current FAA data and authorization requirements before flying.
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## FAA airspace facility restriction

            This area appears in FAA_NS_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.
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+ ## FAA airspace facility restriction
+ 
+             This area appears in FAA_NS_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.