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Drone Rules for Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Virginia Beach, Virginia (VA) • United States
4005 Sandpiper Rd, Virginia Beach, VA 23456, USA
Lat: 36.688 • Lng: -75.9218
Ground Not allowed Last updated: May 30, 2026
Summary
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USFWS prohibits drones on Back Bay NWR. The Virginia Beach barrier island refuge is adjacent to NAS Oceana Class D and the active Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) MOA.

Drone Rules - Back Bay NWR, Virginia

Drones are prohibited under USFWS Director's Order 210; NAS Oceana (NTU) Class D and military airspace create severe dual-restriction complexity.

Airspace / Site Context

  • NAS Oceana (NTU) Class D is ~5 NM northwest; F/A-18 Hornet training approaches operate at low altitude over the Back Bay corridor
  • FACSFAC VACAPES Operating Area includes Warning Areas W-72 offshore; UAS pilots must track activation status
  • Loggerhead sea turtle nesting (May-October) and piping plover nesting (April-August) both require ESA protection on the ocean beach

Key Rules

  • LAANC required near NAS Oceana Class D; most grid squares over the refuge authorize 0 ft AGL due to the F/A-18 approaches
  • Military jet traffic below 500 ft AGL is frequent -- drone launch creates severe collision risk without ATC coordination
  • USFWS Special Use Permit required; military coordination with NAS Oceana airspace management required simultaneously

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