San Francisco is a drone photographer’s dream. It’s obtained iconic bridges, rolling fog, dramatic coastlines and concrete landscapes. However it’s additionally one of the vital regulated airspaces within the nation, with layers of federal, state and native guidelines that may confuse even skilled pilots. So how does one go about flying drones in San Francisco?
I sat down with prolific aerial photographer Eric Thurber (you could find him on Instagram @thurber_shots). He spent years mastering the artwork of flying legally in San Francisco whereas constructing a 120,000-follower Instagram presence and touchdown business purchasers just like the Golden State Warriors, Sky Components and Waymo. If anybody is aware of the best way to navigate SF’s drone laws, it’s Thurber. And for what it’s price, Thurber admits {that a} good chunk of his days are spent filling out waiver requests and coping with varied jurisdictions.
In our full interview, we speak about all types of issues: rising your profession in drones, maximizing your Instagram presence, tools and navigating the legal guidelines. Learn it right here. However as a result of I’ve so many readers in San Francisco, I wished to interrupt out some San Francisco-specific drone flying ideas.
Right here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what you have to know and the best way to keep on the appropriate aspect of the legislation.
The most effective authorized flying spots in San Francisco
Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island
These two islands simply off of San Francisco, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, rank amongst Thurber’s high suggestions for drone pilots.
There’s a new park on Treasure Island price testing, and the highest of the island the place folks park affords wonderful vantage factors.
And actually, Treasure Island has one among actually only a handful of FRIAs (that’s quick for FAA-Acknowledged Identification Areas). That’s SF Drone College positioned on thirteenth St and affiliated with the Academy of Mannequin Aeronautics.
Nevertheless, there’s an essential caveat: “After all, you will have a no-fly zone on the high — you’ve obtained to watch out of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, however not does, so folks can go zipping over that even after they shouldn’t.”
Sausalito
Need gorgeous, authorized pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge? Head throughout the bay to Sausalito.
“Sausalito is improbable if you would like pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which are good and authorized,” Thurber stated. “You possibly can take off proper from the boardwalk. So long as you’re clear with folks strolling by, they’re normally actually good about it. Go up, preserve it beneath 400 toes — your authorized restrict — and also you get these pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which are great.”
Necessary observe: Sausalito has a metropolis ordinance prohibiting drone flights after darkish. That is precisely the sort of native regulation that may journey up even FAA-certified pilots.
He outlines much more spots in his video information to the highest places to movie with a drone in San Francisco.
Understanding San Francisco’s regulatory maze
Flying drones in San Francisco isn’t nearly following FAA guidelines. You’re coping with a number of layers of jurisdiction, and Thurber has discovered to navigate all of them by years of expertise (and loads of conversations with officers). Right here’s what you must do earlier than flying drones in San Francisco:
Test for TFRs (Short-term Flight Restrictions)
“Most accountable pilots are going to open up their airspace app like Airaware and search for a TFR,” Thurber says. “If there’s a TFR, flat out, except you will have a waiver, don’t do it.”
TFRs are non-negotiable. Even Thurber, who has constructed relationships with the Division of Homeland Safety and will get his drones whitelisted for main occasions, gained’t fly if there’s a TFR in place. “If there’s a TFR, even with DHS approval, it doesn’t matter — you don’t do it.”
The SF Parks complication
Right here’s the place issues get difficult: “SF Parks aren’t essentially labeled on the apps, so you need to watch out,” Thurber stated.
San Francisco Parks and Recreation has jurisdiction over metropolis parks, and also you want permits to fly from park property. However Thurber shared a captivating nuance that many pilots don’t learn about. Think about a spot you’d wish to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of Superb Arts.
“That’s metropolis property, so you’ll be able to’t fly within the park with out permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he stated.
However right here’s the nuance: in the event you take off throughout the road, down the block, you’ll be able to fly over. You’re now within the jurisdiction of the FAA and never the parks.
The important thing distinction? Parks dictate the place you are taking off and land from, however the FAA controls the airspace above.
“Parks legally dictate the place you are taking off and land from. They will say you can’t try this, and legally, you can’t,” Thurber stated. “However in the event you fly from exterior and use logic — I’m not blatant about it— that’s completely different. There are nuances.”
Constructing relationships with native authorities
One among Thurber’s secrets and techniques to success has been constructing relationships with the varied companies that regulate drone flight in San Francisco.
“It’s taken time to construct these relationships, they usually’re crucial for business work,” Thurber stated.
His contacts embody the FAA’s native Flight Requirements District Workplace (FSDO), the Division of Homeland Safety, SF Parks and Recreation and even native police (although he notes they “actually don’t have something to do with drones”).
Earlier than flying any main occasion, Thurber reaches out to his DHS contact, who whitelists his drone. However he emphasizes: if there’s a TFR, even these relationships don’t override it.
“The laws exist for a cause, and dealing inside them really opens extra doorways than it closes,” he stated.
Business vs. leisure drone flying in SF
After all, there’s a big distinction between flying for enjoyable and flying for business functions in San Francisco.
“In case you are doing business work, you completely need to be authorized,” Thurber stated. “Working with the Metropolis of San Francisco is without doubt one of the hardest issues I’ve ever needed to do. However for hobbyist functions, it’s comparatively straightforward to fly in San Francisco. It’s a lot, a lot tougher for business functions.”
The truth is, regardless of years of expertise and $2 million in drone insurance coverage by Skywatch AI, Thurber has but to personally get a allow accredited from the Metropolis of San Francisco for his personal initiatives.
“Their necessities are completely stringent and unrealistic,” he says, noting that the town calls for protection ensures that even his insurance coverage firm gained’t underwrite, akin to protection for each particular person the drone may fly over.
Thurber’s method to drone laws was clear: comply with the foundations, educate your self and work with authorities slightly than towards them.
“The FAA is within the enterprise of training you, not busting you,” he stated. “For those who work with them, all the things works out.”
He’s discovered this lesson firsthand. Early in his drone journey, he flew illegally over the Bay Bridge — a shot that went viral however in the end taken down from the Web the FAA’s request. “Subsequently, all the things has shifted — I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I gained’t try this sort of factor.”
Sources and ideas for flying drones in San Francisco
Important apps and instruments:
Eric Thurber’s YouTube Channel: Eric Thurber has created a number of movies particularly addressing these questions on flying in San Francisco. Try his YouTube channel (Thurber_shots) for location-specific guides and regulation tutorials in addition to his Instagram.
Key takeaways:
- At all times verify for TFRs earlier than flying — they’re non-negotiable.
- Concentrate on park boundaries and take off from exterior park property when crucial.
- Perceive that native ordinances (like Sausalito’s no-night-flying rule) add one other layer to FAA laws.
- Keep beneath 400 toes when flying recreationally.
- Be clear with folks round you when taking off from public areas.
- Stay away from geofenced areas even when your drone not enforces them.
- Business work requires considerably extra permits and insurance coverage.
- When unsure, work with authorities slightly than towards them.
Need much more? Catch a clip of our dialog over at my very own YouTube channel or instantly beneath:
And don’t cease with me! Observe Eric too! For extra detailed details about particular places and strategies, comply with Eric Thurber on Instagram @thurber_shots or take a look at his tutorials on YouTube.
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