RogerN

I was going to purchase a high end drone to fly over and video the amazingly beautiful mountains and desert surrounding Las Vegas. However, after studying the issue, I have found that most areas surrounding and inside Las Vegas have banned flying drones. Anyone know anything about flying over BLM lands out in this part of the world ??????

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

No specific knowledge, but here are a lot of military installations North and East of LV that might take offense if they spot your drone.

Rick Bailey Loc: Fayetteville Arkansas

There are also two civilian airports and a Military airfield in the Vegas area and drones are banned within five miles of most airports. In addition, there are sight seeing helicopter flights at low altitudes throughout that area. The areas North of Vegas is military restricted flight area.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

The ONLY organization that could do what you mentioned is the FAA! NO local gov. can do this, none.

RogerN

OH YES !!!!!!

RogerN

Correct, I'm hoping for some open area just southeast of Frenchman Mountain ....... these are BLM controlled lands ....

Ollieboy

Not true. I was looking into buying a drone here in NYC. Drones are prohibited in NYC and State Parks also. Local municipalities can place prohibitions on liftoff and landing locations, therefore essentially banning drones. FAA only tells you were you can't fly on a Federal level. Driving through Long Island I saw many signs stating drones are illegal to fly in their towns. I can't comment on the rest of the country, but I suspect most larger cities have laws banning them. You would have to find a secluded area far from people and cars, which means a few hour ride into the country. You most likely need to be on private land with permission. Just not worth the effort in NYC. I would address this in the drone section for better information.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

In UK drones have become an absolute nuisance during 2019, responsible for several near-misses with commercial aircraft, and for major flight delays. If they were allowed to continue with these unscheduled and unmapped flights it's pretty obvious that eventually they would be responsible for a plane crash. If that should happen the drone flyer should get life in prison with no parole.

Capn_Dave

Only the FAA can restrict airspace. Cities that bad drone flying are doing it illegally. Just like cities that ban guns.

billt1970 Loc: Gambrills, Maryland

As an experienced Drone pilot with an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate I can tell you that your BAN statement is overstated. If you look at www.airmap.com and search for Las Vegas you can see that while there are more than the usual Restricted Areas and 5 mile airport zones, that doesn't mean that you can't fly there. There are numerous open areas where you can fly, and at altitude (up to 400') shoot great photos and video. Even within the 5 mile radius of McCarran International Airport there are many areas where FAA authorization is required to fly, but with the LAANC program such authorization can be automated.

One of my favorite spots in Nevada is the Valley of Fire State Park near Overton, NV, northeast of Las Vegas. I have hiked there, but long before I had any drones. I was amazed to find, via Airmap, that there appear to be no FAA restrictions flying in the park. Now there are rules and regulations for the park that allow free access for photographing the park for personal use or park promotion. They also allow commercial photography, for a schedule of fees.

The point, friends, is that with a little research you can find ways to get some great photos and videos even around many high profile locations. While you certainly can't fly up and down the Strip in Las Vegas, you sure can fly and get some great panorama shots from east or west of the strip with LAANC authorization.

Happy flying, wherever you are.

Bill Taylor
Gambrills, MD

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Have not heard this but thank God for the band and hope many more to come all across America.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

The tone of your reply seems to indicate that you are in favour of ignoring such bans?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Paint Russian or Chinese markings on it, just for the fun of it.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

This site may help you.
https://autelpilots.com/threads/flying-on-blm-land.501/

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Exactly,
It is not just drones. I ran a marathon in LV a couple years ago and we were told to ignore the readings on our GPS watches since part of the loop for this race went near a military installation and GPS signals got bounced and scrambled in the area. I still ran mine for time, but when I downloaded the data, and viewed it on a map, it looked like I ran all over the place, sometimes darting as much as half a mile off the course and back in under a minute. Believe me, I do not run sub-two minute miles!