Welcome to our beginner’s guide to getting know about USA Drone Laws. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know and stay updated about USA drone laws. We also will be covering the following information such as where to get the drone permit for this country, as well as the best drones to fly, travel guides, and contact information to the civil aviation authority of the stated country. Without further ado, let’s dive into the details:

Introduction to USA Drone Laws

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, you are allowed to fly your drone pretty much anywhere you want to. But, there are several exceptions to this, for instance, you can’t fly your drone in national parks and forests due to the fact wildlife are a protected status. Before you can fly your drone, you must register your drone with the Federal Aviation Administration office. There is a small fee for doing that.

If you want to fly your drone commercially, you need to pass the Part 107 exam regardless of your birthplace (residential or foreign) and pay a $150 fee. Once you get the remote pilot license, you can fly and provide drone services. The remote pilot license is valid for two years. While the federal drone laws are dominating force in regulations and rules when it comes to flying your quadcopters, you have to be mindful of state regulations about drones.

Both recreational and commercial drone operators need to make sure they are following these steps:

• Don’t fly higher than 400 feet above the ground level.
• Don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport/aerodromes or in any area where aircraft are present.
• Fly drones only up to 100 miles per hour or below.
• Fly drone during daylight hours.
• Only fly your drone when the weather visibility condition is good.
• Maintain weather visibility up to 3 miles away.
• Maintain at least 10 meters away from individuals and properties.
• Don’t fly over unprotected people and moving vehicles.
• Maintain a clear visual line of sight on your drone at all the time.
• Always check and follow applicable state / local drone laws before operating.

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Getting Drone Permit for the USA

For the recreational remote pilot, there is no requirement to get a drone permit. However, if your drones weigh more than 250 grams, you need to register it on the Federal Aviation Administration website and pay a small fee. You will get the FAA ID number which then you can mark it down on your drone for identification purposes.

If you plan to fly your drone commercially, you will need to schedule an appointment to take the Part 107 exam. Keep it in your mind that you need to pay a $150 fee for it and pass with a 70% rating or higher. If you fail the test, you won’t be able to retake it for a few weeks. You also will have to pay a $150 fee again to retake the exam. So, make sure you do it right the first time.

Here is a list of testing centers where you can take your Part 107 Exam. All you need to do is present your aeronautical knowledge to pass the exam. After that, you will obtain a remote pilot license. Drone insurance is a smart idea if you want to be able to fly commercially.

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Drone Traveling Tips to the USA

There are several methods to travel to other countries with your drone. Read our important traveling tips to get the latest scoop on the best drone traveling practices and become informed. In this section, we will be covering what to do if you are traveling by air or by sea.

Traveling by Air

If you decided to travel by air and would like to bring your drone with you. You need to be aware that the airlines can only reimburse up to $1,000 for loss and damage to your property, including drone and its gear. That’s because of the Montreal Convention which limits how much airlines are allowed to pay you up to a maximum value of $1,000 — no matter how expensive your drone is.

Therefore, we highly encourage bringing your drone and its accessories as carry-on all the times. Furthermore, the drone batteries can’t be in the check luggages. Because they are prone to extreme temperature that poses fire hazards when undergoing temperature change. In rare circumstances, some airlines have strict policy and you will be only given the option to check luggage. To avoid this from happening, we recommend buying these fireproof drone battery bags:

• Colcase Fireproof Li-Po Battery Bag (up to 198 x 150 x 135mm)
• Apex RC Fireproof Li-Po Battery Bag (up to 240 x  65 x  180mm)
• Realacc Upgraded Fireproof Li-Po Battery Bag (up to 220 x 155 x 115mm)

Traveling by Sea

Generally, you are allowed to bring your drone with you. But that depends on the cruise’s policy regarding to use of the drones. The only time you can operate your drone is when you are on land, never while the ship is in process of ferrying to other country. Flying the drones at the ports is also not allowed. Because each cruise companies are unique, we encourage you to check and familiarize with their policy on drones. Reach out to get more information if possible.

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Best Drones for USA

These are the best drones for traveling around the world such as USA due to their flying specifications and camera capabilities. Be sure to read each drone review guide by visiting each link so that you can decide which quadcopter you want to buy before going on a vacation.

Alternatively, you can visit our shop to see a wide selection of prosumer drones that are currently for sale on the best price deals. We only recommend the best drones for traveling that are portable, compact and equipped with powerful camera capabilities, while striving to provide affordable options for those who are looking to get started.

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Contact Information

If you need additional information about drone regulations and flying in the USA. Keep it in mind that we try our best to provide the latest information about drone laws. Because the drone laws are not universal, they can wildly vary from a country with lax regulations to another country that has strict regulations. For any drone regulations that you are not sure, feel free to contact the Aviation Safety Inspector directly:

Federal Aviation Authority

Contact Page: Visit Here