If you are new to the world of personal aviation devices, you may wonder where drones are banned. Even the best drones, after all, are banned in certain countries and even in certain parts of this country. So where are drones banned and why? Keep reading to find out.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Drone flight is banned in many nations throughout the world, including France, Cuba, Kenya, and Egypt.
- Recreational drones are also illegal to fly over the White House and over any active military bases here in the United States.
- Drone operations must stick to within one mile or more away from airports and any affiliated airspace so as not to conflict with manned aircraft.
Countries Where Drones are Banned
Where are drones illegal? Alergia, Barbados, Sri Lanka, Cuba, Egypt, Bahrain, Iran, Kenya, and even France. This banning typically falls down to privacy laws and airspace restrictions, though France issued their ban as an anti-police measure when it was discovered they were using drones to track protesters. In these cases, nearly every drone is banned, even if you are learned the best drones for agriculture.
Insider Tip
Check on any local regulatory agencies for up-to-the-minute information as to where drones are banned.
Where are Drones Banned in the United States?
While the United States is a pretty drone-friendly country, providing you get the thing registered, you can’t fly anywhere you want. This information comes in handy if you are wondering, say, how close you can fly a drone to an airport. Here are some of the most common places in which drones are banned.
Airports
You can’t fly a drone within one mile, or even more in some cases, from an airport or any affiliated airspace. The reasons here are obvious, as having a bunch of crewless aircraft flying around would get in the way of passenger and commercial vehicles, leading to horrific accidents in a worst-case scenario. You can apply for authorizations and waivers, but this is a costly and time-consuming process. In other words, find somewhere else to conduct that DJI Spark Fly More Combo review.
Forests, Parks, and Wildlife Refuges
You cannot fly a drone over any nationally recognized forest, park, or wildlife refuge. This is to protect the animals living there and to protect the privacy of any affiliated workers. However, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) occasionally lifts these bans in the case of wildfires, as drones can be used to capture newsworthy footage of the fires and even be used to fight them off with the right tools.
The White House and Military Bases
You cannot fly a drone over or near the White House, nor over or near any active military bases. The reasons here are also fairly clear, as these steps were taken to ensure the safety and privacy of both military and political personnel. Almost all military bases, as of this writing, are no-fly zones.
F.A.Q.S
What happens if you are caught?
If you are caught operating a flight path in an area banned from drones, or if you are caught disobeying drone rules, you will be subject to hefty criminal penalties and fines.
Are there drone no-fly zones?
Yes, the federal government and the national aviation authority have issued bans in many parts of the country, including airports and active military bases.
Can my drone be flown around my neighborhood?
The short answer here is yes. Drone operations can persist in and over most neighborhoods, as there is no ban on drones or drone activity in these areas.
STAT: The FAA uses the term “No Drone Zone” to help people identify areas where they cannot operate a drone or unmanned aircraft system (UAS). (source)
REFERENCES:
- https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/
- https://www.ncsl.org/research/transportation/current-unmanned-aircraft-state-law-landscape.aspx
- https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR1700/RR1718z3/RAND_RR1718z3.pdfr
- https://www.npr.org/2021/09/07/1034919887/robert-e-lee-statue-richmond-drones-faa
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulation_of_unmanned_aerial_vehicles
