
FAA RULES FOR DRONE OPERATORS
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1. Register your drone with the FAA
2. Fly at or below 400 feet
3. Keep the drone within sight
4. Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
5. Never fly over groups of people
6. Never fly over stadiums or sports events
7. Never fly near emergency response efforts
8. Never fly under the influence
9. Be aware of airspace requirements
AIRPORTS VS AIRSPACE
1. 40% of the U.S. is within 5 miles of an airport
2. It is illegal to fly a drone within 5 miles of an airport without permission
3. The average FAA penalty for operating a drone unsafely is $1,100 per offense.

AVIATION SECTIONAL CHART
AIRSPACE
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The sectional chart above shows the airspace around Memphis, TN. Special authorization is required from the FAA to fly a drone in controlled air space. Only certified remote pilots can apply for a special authorization, and it must be obtained in writing from the FAA. Not even the airports within the controlled airspace can approve this. Special authorization is not a quick process either. The FAA currently asks for 90 days advance notice to process the request.
The types of controlled airspace, which require special authorization, are classes B, C, D, and E. Class A is too high to be reached by a drone. In the chart above, controlled airspace is delineated by the maroon or blue lines. The type, size and shape of the airspace around an airport are determined by the airport's size and other attributes. The diagram below illustrates the shape of these classes of airspace. So where can a drone fly without special authorization? Class G airspace.
As you can see airspace is a complicated system, and it takes a trained and experienced aviator to truly understand how to operate within it safely. The majority of FAA drone violations are perpetrated by hobbyists who do not understand airspace and choose to ignore it.
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AIRPORTS