New to this forum: I have developed an interest in drone photography and just purchases a DJI Mini 2. I'm still trying to get through local rules and regulations and am looking for...

JJS Loc: SE Michigan & SW Florida

I have developed an interest in drone photography and just purchases a DJI Mini 2. I'm still trying to get through local rules and regulations and am looking for safe and legal places to fly in the Naples Florida area. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

JJS wrote:

I have developed an interest in drone photography and just purchases a DJI Mini 2. I'm still trying to get through local rules and regulations and am looking for safe and legal places to fly in the Naples Florida area. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

You said: "I'm still trying to get through local rules and regulations and am looking for safe and legal places to fly " . . . .
I live in a VERY rural area and it is just too hard to comply with the regulations.
There is a tiny airport within the "Zone" where I have to seek the permission of the guy in charge that I can't reach by phone or visit.
He doesn't answer the phone and there is no answering machine.
I have tried over several months to catch him with no luck yet.
Since the rules are strict and the punishment is harsh I gave up after a year of trying.
However, others just fly anyway and share their pics of my place, sigh. . .
I do continue to . . .
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

Ollieboy

Fly using common sense. No airports or over people and above all, be DISCRETE. Also follow the rules 🤫 I've been flying in the NYC Long Island area for over a year with no problems. (DISCRETE !)

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

JJS wrote:

I have developed an interest in drone photography and just purchases a DJI Mini 2. I'm still trying to get through local rules and regulations and am looking for safe and legal places to fly in the Naples Florida area. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

I've been an airplane pilot and photographer most of my life. I now have a Mini 2 as one of my cameras. I spent a couple of the winter covid months learning the UAV system and now have both FAA certificates.

What sort of suggestions are you looking for? Naples is a big area. I'm attaching clips of the sectional and clearance grid for that area. To operate a drone in the grid you use the "LAANCE" app on a phone to get clearance.

How can I help?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Jimmy T wrote:

You said: "I'm still trying to get through lo... (show quote)

JimmyT,

What airport is it? I would like to look it up see what the airspace is. It may be quick and easy to get "clearance" through the FAA system.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Ollieboy wrote:

Fly using common sense. No airports or over people and above all, be DISCRETE. Also follow the rules 🤫 I've been flying in the NYC Long Island area for over a year with no problems. (DISCRETE !)

Things changed a little bit last year. As always, the FAA owns all the airspace. New last year is the FAA requirement to have at least one of two FAA issued certificates. For recreational drone use, you can use the easy and free "TRUST" certificate. It takes about 20 minutes online and does a good job of outlining how to be legally "DISCRETE".

https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/knowledge_test_updates/

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Quote:

What sort of suggestions are you looking for? Naples is a big area. I'm attaching clips of the sectional and clearance grid for that area. To operate a drone in the grid you use the "LAANCE" app on a phone to get clearance.

How can I help?

Even if you don’t have LAANCE coverage (we don’t down here) you can get waivers through the FAA’s DroneZone. I be been getting a turnaround time of only an hour or two lately to fly in HARB Class D airspace. Then a quick call to the tower and I’m good to go. Only other issue I have is the National Parks.

Hugh

JJS Loc: SE Michigan & SW Florida

bsprague wrote:

I've been an airplane pilot and photographer most of my life. I now have a Mini 2 as one of my cameras. I spent a couple of the winter covid months learning the UAV system and now have both FAA certificates.

What sort of suggestions are you looking for? Naples is a big area. I'm attaching clips of the sectional and clearance grid for that area. To operate a drone in the grid you use the "LAANCE" app on a phone to get clearance.

How can I help?

Thanks for your reply. I'm in North Naples for half the year. I have no need or interest in flying my drone in controlled airspace and know not to fly above 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace. My confusion is with other rules. There are federal FAA rules but also state and local rules which can be more restrictive. For example I am very close to North Naples Community Park (uncontrolled airspace) which has several wide open soccer fields that are empty most of the time. I've flown there a few time but then I saw a sign with a list of rules that includes "No Drones Allowed". I'm looking for a fairly wide open area where I can fly without fear of stepping on anybody's toes.

JJS Loc: SE Michigan & SW Florida

bsprague wrote:

Things changed a little bit last year. As always, the FAA owns all the airspace. New last year is the FAA requirement to have at least one of two FAA issued certificates. For recreational drone use, you can use the easy and free "TRUST" certificate. It takes about 20 minutes online and does a good job of outlining how to be legally "DISCRETE".

https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_fliers/knowledge_test_updates/

I took the TRUST Certificate test the other day. One of the FFA "rules" is that you must maintain visual contact with your drone at all times. Well, my little drone disappears from view after about 100 feet. So if you take this rule literally I guess no drome flying is allowed at all unless you have a really really big one! Your right. The answer is be "DESCTETE".

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I agree, being discrete is number 1. But to add to that, don't fly or hover over crowds, don't fly over stadiums or places where an event is being held, don't fly in ANY National Parks, don't fly near airports, don't go over 400 feet high from ground level, bring your drone back if you sense any problems.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

IHH61 wrote:

Even if you don’t have LAANCE coverage (we don’t down here) you can get waivers through the FAA’s DroneZone. I be been getting a turnaround time of only an hour or two lately to fly in HARB Class D airspace. Then a quick call to the tower and I’m good to go. Only other issue I have is the National Parks.

Hugh

You do have LAANCE coverage around Homestead Air Reserve Base! But, you have a lot of "0" sectors on the southeast side! What do they do there that requires them to have all the airspace so close to the ground?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

JJS wrote:

I took the TRUST Certificate test the other day. One of the FFA "rules" is that you must maintain visual contact with your drone at all times. Well, my little drone disappears from view after about 100 feet. So if you take this rule literally I guess no drome flying is allowed at all unless you have a really really big one! Your right. The answer is be "DESCTETE".

I have a DJI Mini 2. The FAA says "visual line of sight" even means being able to see what direction it is pointing! So in my case, it is about the same 100 feet to be fully legal. It can stretch to more if I allow myself to be "marginally legal".

My personal rules are the same for everything else I do. I do what I can to not bother people or put them at risk. That said, I'm 75 years old and still drive on the public's roads in 12,000 pound motorhome! Everything in perspective! Right?

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Jimmy T wrote:

You said: "I'm still trying to get through lo... (show quote)

JimmyT sent me a private mail that included the airport name. It is small, private and outside of any FAA controlled airspace. As private property, the owner can restrict drone operations from his ground. The FAA will argue that the airspace above the ground is not controlled by the owner.

I sent JimmyT screen shots of appropriate charts.

JJS Loc: SE Michigan & SW Florida

bsprague wrote:

I have a DJI Mini 2. The FAA says "visual li... (show quote)

Well said...from a fellow septuagenarian!

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

bsprague wrote:

JimmyT sent me a private mail that included the airport name. It is small, private and outside of any FAA controlled airspace. As private property, the owner can restrict drone operations from his ground. The FAA will argue that the airspace above the ground is not controlled by the owner.

I sent JimmyT screen shots of appropriate charts.

. . .And it is muchly appreciated, Bill!
It is really great to have folks that know something spoon-feed the uninitiated, grin.
I'm very fortunate to be a part of a class act known as UHH.
Thanks again,
JimmyT Sends
Bravo Zulu

P.S.: I'm sorry that I am so late in responding, but I have just started the hunting 'n gathering of "evidence" required to file my yearly taxes.
I think that I am in trouble since I have been healthy for two years in a row, darn the luck, huge grin.
I recently tripped over the 75 year old and color blind barriers, so now I am now off to the races . . . . Charge!!!