5 FAA Drone Rules You're Likely Breaking Without Realizing!

In this video, we uncover 5 common FAA drone rules that pilots often break without realizing. We discuss each of the rules and explain how to not break them so you can fly legally for future flights.

🎬    Jump to Section
0:00 Introduction
0:45 Rule #1 - Flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight
2:13 Rule #2 - Flying Recreationally Without TRUST
3:07 Rule #3 - Flying Over People
4:20 Rule #4 - Flying over Vehicles or From a Vehicle
5:58 Rule #5 - Flying in Controlled Airspace Without Authorization

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[uavcoach]

Have you broken any of these rules before?

[WonderNWander]

I'm new to drone flying; however, this far, I have not broken any of these rules. I did a lot of research and got my TRUST certificate the same day I picked up my drone. Thus far, I have not stepped off our property. We're on four acres, I've just been flying over our trees and exploring our property.

[lopezexplora]

Just got a drone for my videos and had no idea of so many regulations, thank you for sharing

[mikeingeorgia]

This is all good to know information. I just did my first drone flight earlier today, so I’m very new. I didn’t let it go more than about 15’ off the ground. I’m just practicing in the front yard for now. I wish the manufacturers would make them out of bright yellow or red plastic so they’re more visible from the ground. It’s recharging right now. For it’s second flight I plan to try the fpv feature although I only intend to cruise around the yard at this time

[nathanh]

Yes I can always see my grey drone from 3 miles away.

[VectorGaming]

Thanks for posting this! I’ve got my first drone, the DJI Neo, and I’m making sure I do everything right, especially since I live near a military base. It feels good to have the CBO rules and TRUST certificate on me and proof of LAANC authorization as well. Being a little category 1 drone also makes me feel less nervous about flying it in a park and occasionally over people at safe distances while making my way somewhere else.

I’ll probably stick with this drone for a long time as it does everything I want out of a drone for recreation, but one day I’ll probably save up and get a Mavic for professional use and get my 107 license as my job can always benefit from pictures.

[DesertPackrat]

I cannot say that I have not broken those rules, but one that may trip people is adding weight to a drone whose base weight is <250g and thinking they are still exempt. Now that I have shared that I can go launch from a National Park that intersects with military airspace where a wildfire has started so that I can buzz picnickers with a non propeller guarded drone that keeps having mechanical failures.

[ghjcmo]

I'd argue it's nearly impossible to NOT fly BVLOS at some point unless you stay 10 foot off the ground in your backyard. Especially if you truly follow the EXACT VLOS rules.

[flyboypat]

I was surprised flying fpv without a visual observer did not made the list.

[kamuazuberi]

What should I study the most to pass the pilot test, and who should I purchase study material from

[JustAGuyYaKnow]

The VLOS rule is hilarious. My drone has about a 6km range, but I bet I can't easily see it after 200m.

[OpenCarryUSMC]

#1 theres more to it than in visual line of sight. You must also be able to determine orientation of the drone visually. That can be significantly less distance than merely seeing the spec that is your drone.

[SeanSullivan]

VLOS is probably the most broken rule. Honestly, unless you plan on only going like 100' away most drones are beyond VLOS.

[smirkingguru]

WOW I just sat here and said to myself the 5 things in literally same order as you stated...unbelievable.
And I don't know any pilot that hasn't broken at least one of these rules.

[FoxFaderWorld]

Here's an important one that needs to be noted. Flying under a TFR. Only takes seconds to make sure you're flying clear of any.

[lonceysphotosandfilms]

Hey, thanks heaps man, this is great and hard to find this info on YouTube in Australia! 😊❤

Just for reference I'm the first drone pilot to film Wangetti beach, the Baron river, Walsh's Pyramid at Gordonvale and Goldsborough valley in Wooroonooran national park, ( where my Indigenous ancestors come from ), which is just as spectacular as the Daintree...We have Australia’s highest rainfall on Mount Bellenden Ker

[sprinter]

I need clarification about flying over people. If I am flying recreationally with TRUST certificate and the drone with prop guards is less than 250 grams, is that ok or not ok?

[bwmcelya]

When I first got my drone I noticed it had an altitude limit of 1875’, so I flew it at night to see if it would go up there, which it did. I’ve remained below 400’ since. I nicked the corner of a class E air space once by accident. That’s it so far. Jail time?

[ronsullivan]

Not a drone pilot but I am a private pilot. The line of site is a little silly to me, seeing as drones are small, and then they are a light/medium shade of gray, which blends right in with the sky, esp with overcast. In a few hundred feet it will be lost from the ground. If the drones had a flashing strobe on them it could be seen from a far greater distance. I could see that rule back in the day when there were no high definition cameras like now and just had to track a blind drone, but now it seems unneeded.

[TheExplosiveslab]

So being registered with the Faa not enough? U also need a trust certificate?