Want to take the most amazing aerial photographs of New York City? You’re not alone! But before you fly your drone in New York City, there are some things you need to know about drone laws in the city and the penalties you could face if you fly your drone illegally. And whether or not drones are allowed in NYC, it’s important to learn how to avoid flying them in public places that aren’t designated areas for drones. We’ll explain why, so read on!
If you’re planning on flying your drone in New York City, you might want to read this first. Drone sales have risen dramatically in recent years. More and more, they are being used by residents and tourists in New York City, many without the proper permission or permits. Some of these individuals don’t even know that they’re breaking the law by flying their drones in city limits, but it can lead to big fines or even jail time if you get caught doing it.
In recent years, unmanned aircraft, or drones, have gained increasing popularity. Although they’re fun to fly, it’s important to know the laws and regulations surrounding drone flying before taking to the skies in New York City. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse if you fly your drone in public spaces like parks and sidewalks or over private property without permission of the owner.
The Consequences of Flying Your Drone Illegally in NYC
We’ve been seeing drones around New York City more and more lately, but does that mean you can fly your drone anywhere in the city? Is there a consequence if you do this? You might be surprised to find out how many laws you’re breaking if you fly your drone here—and how much trouble you could get into. Before you take the plunge, find out everything you need to know about flying drones in NYC.
Many uses can be accomplished with drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles. However, drone flying laws vary from place to place and just because you can fly your drone in one city doesn’t mean you can do the same in another city. For example, New York City makes it illegal to fly drones in the city and around its buildings unless you have special authorization from the FAA.
If you’re planning on flying your drone in New York City, the first thing you need to know is that the rules are extremely strict. Even minor violations can result in hefty fines, so it’s important to know exactly what those rules are if you want to stay on the right side of the law. The biggest rule to remember with regards to flying drones in NYC is that no one can fly any type of drone in New York City at all, ever, except under very specific circumstances.
What Is A Drone?
Drones are remotely controlled aerial vehicles with built-in cameras and other sensors. They can be flown autonomously by on-board computers, or by a pilot controlling the drone via remote control. Unmanned drones are typically much smaller than manned aircrafts. The word drone is often used as an umbrella term to describe any UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) that’s not a helicopter. In order to keep these aircraft from interfering with planes in flight, FAA regulations require all drones heavier than 55 pounds to remain at least 5 miles away from airports and air traffic corridors. Smaller unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), which weigh less than 55 pounds, can fly closer to airports but not within three nautical miles of them.
What are the laws about flying drones in NY city parks?
New York City law makes it illegal to fly a drone outside any marked city park without first obtaining permission from the Parks Department. Without explicit permission, flying drones outdoors within the five boroughs can lead to fines up to $1,000 and up to 15 days in jail. The only exception to this rule is for law enforcement officers who are conducting official business or as authorized by New York City parks personnel.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should
The skies are not yours. Flying your drone illegally can come with hefty fines that range from $1,000 to $2,500. Plus you can have it confiscated or have your pilot’s license revoked. The consequences for flying illegally could be worse than you think! You may also be fined up to $25,000 and charged with a misdemeanor. A set of drone laws went into effect on October 26th 2018, making any commercial use of drones illegal unless the operator has been granted an exemption by the FAA. These exemptions apply only to people who are using drones for emergency services or research and development purposes.
Crashing your drone can be dangerous to others
Flying a drone near or over crowds is unsafe and illegal, so be sure to fly responsibly. If you happen to lose control of your drone and it crashes, you may face criminal charges for reckless endangerment. Furthermore, if you crash the drone into someone’s property or someone else’s person, you can also be held criminally liable for assault.
Common sense rules apply no matter where you are flying
- If you are under 14 years old, you must be accompanied by an adult.
- You can fly up to 25 feet (7.5 meters) away from buildings and vehicles without breaking the law.
- The only time that you can legally fly higher than 25 feet is if it is for photography purposes, in which case you need to get a permit from the city.
- If your drone weighs more than 8 ounces (226 grams), then it has to stay within your line of sight at all times or else it will be considered illegal.
What To Do If You Are Caught Flying Illegal In New York City
If you happen to be caught flying your drone illegally, you can expect to pay a $1,000 fine. Plus, if the drone has been modified from its original design then that is considered to be a federal offense. Additionally, if you are found with drugs or weapons on your person at the time of detainment then your penalties could be even greater. There have been instances where people were sentenced to jail time for having illegal drones in their possession. And finally, drones may be confiscated and impounded by the authorities when they find them.
Conclusion
Flying a drone outside the regulations set forth by the FAA could result in significant fines and penalties. These fines and penalties could include suspension or revocation of your remote pilot certificate, civil penalties up to $32,400 per violation, criminal penalties including imprisonment up to three years, and denial or revocation of an application for approval. The National Park Service will also assess substantial administrative sanctions against violators who are within designated national parks. Be sure to use this information as you make your decision about flying a drone illegally in New York City.
