USA/en

USA/en
Competent authority	https://www.faa.gov/
Registration page	https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov/#/
Map with restricted zones	https://droneflyzone.com/
Registration necessary	Ja„Ja“ ist kein Wahrheitswert (wahr/falsch).
Labeling necessary	Ja„Ja“ ist kein Wahrheitswert (wahr/falsch).
Pilot license necessary	Ja„Ja“ ist kein Wahrheitswert (wahr/falsch).
Maximum flight altitude in meters	120120 m <br />

General information

Categories

Drones in the United States are divided into two groups based on weight and intended use. This distinction relates to the type of drone application. Each of these groups is subject to different regulations and conditions:

Recreational Drones / Model Aircraft (Special Rule for Model Aircraft - Section 336)

• This type of drone may only be used for personal purposes and as a "hobby", without commercial use.
• The registration of the drone is mandatory.
• The use is allowed from the age of 13 years.

Private and Commercial Drones (Small UAS Regulation - Part 107)

• An FAA pilot's license is required (FAA remote pilot certificate).
• This means that an aeronautical knowledge test must be taken at an FAA approved testing center.
• Registration of the drone is required.
• Use is permitted from the age of 16.

For travelers or tourists in the U.S., only option 1 (recreational drone / model aircraft - purely private) might be of interest, as option 2 would require obtaining a pilot's license for drones in the U.S.. In both cases, however, registration of the drone is required.

Registration

In 2015, a requirement to register drones was introduced in the United States. However, this registration requirement was temporarily suspended in early 2017 by an FAA court order. However, in 2018, this requirement was reinstated by an executive order of President Trump under the National Defense Authorization Act and is currently mandatory. Any drone that is to be put into service in the U.S. must be registered in advance with the FAA. This registration is required for the categories previously mentioned. It is advisable to be aware in advance of which category the drone falls into before beginning the registration process.

The cost of registration is $5 each and is valid for a period of 3 years.

No waiting time or further formalities are required.

Rules and regulations for drones in the USA

The use of drones in U.S. airspace and the corresponding legal regulations are overseen by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is responsible for aviation and air law. Drones fall under the category of "unmanned aircraft systems" (UAS), and the FAA devotes a special section on its website to this topic.

For both private and commercial use of drones, there are general rules and regulations that must be taken into account:

• Drones must be registered as described above.
• The maximum allowed altitude of flight' is 400 feet (approximately 121.92 meters).
• Flying drones is allowed only during daylight hours and within visual range.
• Drones are not allowed to operate near aircraft or airfields.
• Operations near emergency or disaster areas are prohibited.
• It is prohibited to fly over crowds, stadiums, gatherings, or public events.
• Operating drones under the influence of drugs or alcohol is prohibited.
• FAA no-fly zones, such as a 5-mile radius around airports, may not be entered.
• The privacy of others must be maintained.
• Areas marked as "NoDroneZone' may not be flown over.

It is important to follow these regulations and use drones responsibly, both for your own safety and the safety of others, and to comply with applicable laws.

Spots

The following options are available in USA/en. Recommendations from users.

Spots	Photo	Max. Flight altitude
Columbia River Gorge		120 m
Grand Canyon		120 m