Virginia Unmanned Systems Center

Resources

Whether you’re a novice drone pilot or have many years of aviation experience, rules and safety tips exist to help you fly safely in the National Airspace System. Think of these tips as a pre-flight checklist to help you fly safely. For comprehensive information regarding operating your drone, go to the FAA website at https:// www.faa.gov/uas/.

Drone Safety Tips

• Register your drone
• Fly your drone at or below 400 feet
• Keep your drone within your line of sight
• Be aware of FAA Airspace Restrictions
• Respect privacy
• Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
• Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people
• Never fly near emergencies such as fires or hurricane recovery efforts
• Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Virginia Airports

• sUAS: Guide for Virginia Airports

Operating Your Drone

The FAA rules you need to follow while flying your drone will depend on what your mission is.

• Recreational Fliers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations
• Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
• Government & Law Enforcement
• Public Safety Drone Playbook

From the Federal Aviation Administration

• Operate a Drone, Start a Drone Program
• Understanding Your Authority: Handling Sightings and Reports
• Public Safety and Law Enforcement Toolkit
• FAA Contacts for Law Enforcement