Hello everyone,
My first post here in need of some advice from droners in and around the DMV area. I received a Phantom 4 for Christmas, but ended up returning it yesterday after learning about how restricted the area is in terms of flying anywhere legally. I live in Annandale, VA which I'm aware is in DC's NFZ but just a short 20 minute drive from open, unrestricted airspace. I originally intended on flying my drone in state/regional/county parks nearby to get some scenic shots, until I realized that this as well is not allowed.
So my questions to DMV droners are:
-Is owning a drone in this area even worth the cost and risk?
-If yes, can you please provide specific locations you frequently visit to fly? I'm aware of two local R/C clubs in the area, but don't want to be confined to visiting the same field(s) every time I want to take my drone out for a ride. I think that for me, this defeats the purpose of owning a drone in the first place.
-Am I free to fly over sparsely populated town centers/apartment complexes so long as I am not putting any third parties at risk of injury?
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Just a bummer when you get so excited about getting a drone for Christmas and then learning about all the legal issues you come across with owning one.
Happy New Year!
My first post here in need of some advice from droners in and around the DMV area. I received a Phantom 4 for Christmas, but ended up returning it yesterday after learning about how restricted the area is in terms of flying anywhere legally. I live in Annandale, VA which I'm aware is in DC's NFZ but just a short 20 minute drive from open, unrestricted airspace. I originally intended on flying my drone in state/regional/county parks nearby to get some scenic shots, until I realized that this as well is not allowed.
So my questions to DMV droners are:
-Is owning a drone in this area even worth the cost and risk?
-If yes, can you please provide specific locations you frequently visit to fly? I'm aware of two local R/C clubs in the area, but don't want to be confined to visiting the same field(s) every time I want to take my drone out for a ride. I think that for me, this defeats the purpose of owning a drone in the first place.
-Am I free to fly over sparsely populated town centers/apartment complexes so long as I am not putting any third parties at risk of injury?
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Just a bummer when you get so excited about getting a drone for Christmas and then learning about all the legal issues you come across with owning one.
Happy New Year!