Determining the airspace where you can lawfully and securely operate your drone proves unexpectedly challenging.
Whether you’re a novice or seasoned pilot, having acquired your trusty drone or certifications like the TRUST or Half 107, there’s nothing quite like the thrill of discovering new and exciting places to fly near you after hours of practice in your own backyard. As you prepare for your trip to a novel urban centre, So what do you do?
To find suitable locations, start by conducting a Google search: “Where can I fly my drone near me?” Next, utilize the B4UFly tool to identify uncontrolled airspace and plan your flight accordingly. Regardless of the circumstances, ensure that you still verify both state and native laws.
In the United States, you won’t be able to fly drones or other aircraft within national parks. The airspace appears to be clear on most aviation apps, but beware: you can still land in trouble with a park ranger.
Some states permit recreational drone use within their park systems, exemplified by Missouri’s liberal policy, while others, such as Hawaii, impose a complete ban on these activities.
While many states impose significant restrictions on drone usage within state parks, some allow operations under specific conditions or mandate pre-flight registration.
The problem lies in the fact that this information will not be centralized, nor is it always accurate, and perhaps most crucially, not open to feedback or suggestions from pilots?
Enter FPV Trails. FPVTrails offers a comprehensive, user-generated database of pre-mapped flight zones, meticulously curated by experienced pilots. The platform allows anyone to contribute, rate, and comment on locations, fostering a community-driven approach to sharing knowledge and expertise in the world of first-person view (FPV) flying.
User-generated knowledge is superimposed onto airspace information, analogous to FAA UAS facility maps and FRIAs, highlighting areas where it’s not just enjoyable to fly, but also safe and legally permissible to do so.
Regardless of the situation, verify that you cross-reference websites with the FAA’s official B4UFly service providers to ensure accuracy, as information can rapidly evolve, especially during times of short-term flight restrictions or other dynamic changes.
FPV Trails has expanded its offering by incorporating numerous unique map layers, including nationwide and state parks, stadiums, and global airports. Additionally, it now aggregates collegiate UAS programs and city and state regulations governing drone flight.
Additionally, they provide climate layers and are consistently expanding their coverage to include new locations, boasting over 250 within the US alone. The dataset for these locations is available for download in a standardised JSON format.
FPV Trails envisions a free and open platform that will eventually incorporate premium services to cover hosting expenses.
