Recreational Drone/UAS/UAV Laws

  1. Register your drone, mark it on the outside with the registration number and carry proof of registration with you.
  2. Fly only for recreational purposes (it is against the law to receive compensation for flying a drone unless you hold an FAR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate).
  3. Fly your drone at or below 400 feet above the ground when in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace.
  4. Obtain authorization before flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E). You can obtain authorization in three ways:
    1. LAANC
    2. DroneZone
    3. A written agreement with the FAA for fixed flying sites. For more information about fixed flying sites, contact us at UAShelp@faa.gov.
    NOTE: Flying drones in certain airspace is not allowed. Classes of airspace and flying restrictions can be found on our B4UFLY app.
  5. Keep your drone within your visual line of sight, or within the visual line-of-sight of a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you.
  6. Do not fly at night unless your drone has lighting that allows you to know its location and orientation at all times.
  7. Give way to and do not interfere with manned aircraft.
  8. Never fly over any person or moving vehicle.
  9. Never interfere with emergency response activities such as disaster relief, any type of accident response, law enforcement activities, firefighting, or hurricane recovery efforts.
  10. Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Many over-the-counter medications have side effects that could impact your ability to safely operate your drone.
  11. Do not operate your drone in a careless or reckless manner.
Recreational flyers should know that if they intentionally violate any of these safety requirements, and/or operate in a careless or reckless manner, they could be liable for criminal and/or civil penalties. 

Southern Oregon Drone has partnered with UAV coach to offer an online drone pilot course to help you learn how to fly your drone legally and safely. To learn more about this course, click here!
If you are flying your drone for compensation, OR if you are creating content using your drone and you are being compensated for that content, you are required by the Federal Aviation Administration to hold an FAR Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. To obtain this certificate, it is not particularly difficult nor is it expensive. In fact, we offer an online course that will prepare you (and guarantee you pass!) for the written test that you are required to take. To learn more about the course, click here. 

Here is a summary of FAR Part 107