FlightGuide
There are too many surprises hidden in the scenery of the United States, from the sprawling coastline to magnificent mountains, every place is suitable for leaving a unique perspective with drone lenses. In order to facilitate your operation of drones in the United States, we have carefully prepared a flight guide. There are local key drone regulations and clear guidelines for internal battery air transportation, hoping to help you solve pre flight issues.
Policy Brief
In the United States, to operate a drone flight, it is first necessary to confirm that it is only allowed to operate in certain areas. At the same time, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, as the core regulatory agency, has established a series of regulations for safe drone flight, which all operators must comply with and strictly adhere to local regulations during the flight process.
Core Drone Flight Rules
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Altitude Limit: Maximum 120 Meters
Strictly control the flight altitude and do not exceed the 120-meter upper limit to avoid intruding into controlled airspace and maintain air traffic order.
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Area Requirement: Avoid Unverified Areas
Do not enter areas that are unplanned or unconfirmed for flight permission. Check the compliance of the area in advance, such as avoiding no-fly zones and controlled zones.
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Visibility Requirement: Maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) Flight
Ensure the drone remains within your naked eye visibility throughout the flight. Do not operate beyond visual range relying on auxiliary equipment to prevent loss of connection or collisions.
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Crowd Requirement: Keep Away from Dense Crowds
Route the flight to bypass crowded places such as squares, exhibitions, and competitions to reduce safety risks caused by potential drone malfunctions and crashes.
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Operation Requirement: No Flight Under the Influence of Alcohol
It is strictly forbidden to operate a drone after drinking alcohol or under the influence of alcohol, so as to avoid accidents caused by impaired judgment and operational errors.
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Restriction Requirement: Pay Attention to Special Regulations
Learn in advance about special requirements for the flight area, such as temporary air traffic control, time restrictions, and industry-exclusive airspace, to ensure compliant flight throughout the process.
Special Attention
FAA regulations clearly state that if a drone has a total weight exceeding 0.25 kg, it must be registered and certified through the official FAA website. Operating an unregistered drone in this weight category is considered a violation.
Drones with a total weight of 0.25 kg or less are exempt from this basic registration requirement and do not need to go through the registration process.
According to FAA regulations regarding commercial operations, regardless of whether a drone meets the weight threshold for basic registration, if it is used for commercial activities (such as aerial photography services, agricultural crop protection, logistics and transportation, etc.), it is required to complete basic registration (if the weight meets the standard) and additionally apply for and obtain a commercial use special certification.
Commercial operations without this certification do not comply with FAA requirements.
For large drones with a total weight exceeding 25 kg, the FAA and local regulatory authorities have established more stringent operating standards.
Regulations require operators to first carefully study the specific local provisions, proactively consult regulatory authorities for compliance details, and confirm that all special requirements are fully met before conducting operations. The process cannot be simplified solely based on basic registration or commercial certification.
- When carrying extra spare batteries for travel, you must strictly comply with the transport regulations of the airline you are taking.
- You may refer to the battery carry-on and checked policies of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as most airlines have similar regulations.
