That's just not a very good idea to "skirt the laws" like that. You are setting yourself up to be "that guy".
You have to remain 500' from any other aircraft and you have to give right of way to ALL other aircraft. Your best bet would be to be a LONG ways off and get long-range shots. Anything less than a couple thousand feet would be careless IMO.
Its not skirting the law there is no law its the event that would say no. I was told to use this option by a US PARK ranger when I wanted to film some of the Badlands where I live. He said the law says you can not take off or land in Park controlled land, but if I was to fly from adjacent land and fly over he has no control.
Conditions and Exceptions
1.The required compendium closures do not apply to the following activities:
(a)The use,
authorized in writing prior to the date of this Policy Memorandum, of model aircraft (as that term is used in Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Advisory Circular 91-57 and section 336 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2012) for hobbyist and recreational use at locations and under conditions (i) established by the superintendent in the compendium; or (ii) issued under a special use permit. Continued activities under these existing authorities are allowed, but renewals and modifications of these compendium provisions or permits must be approved in writing by the ADVRP. Superintendents of these parks should note in their compendiums that the required closures do not apply to these established uses.
(b)Administrative use of unmanned aircraft as approved in writing by the ADVRP for such purposes as scientific study, search and rescue operations, fire operations, and law enforcement. Administrative use includes the use of unmanned aircraft by (i) NPS personnel as operators or crew; (ii) cooperators such as government agencies and universities that conduct unmanned aircraft operations for the NPS pursuant to a written agreement; and (iii) other entities, including commercial entities, conducting unmanned aircraft operations for the NPS, provided such entities are in compliance with all applicable FAA and Department of the Interior requirements. A separate guidance package will be provided for parks requesting approval for administrative use of unmanned aircraft.
(c)Activities conducted under a Scientific Research and Collecting Permit that specifically authorizes launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft and is approved in writing by the ADVRP in consultation with the Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science.
(d)Activities conducted under a special use permit that specifically authorizes launching, landing, or operating an unmanned aircraft and is approved in writing by the ADVRP. Superintendents should refer to
Exhibit B if they intend to seek approval for a special use permit under this exception.
2.The compendium closures required by this Policy Memorandum do not apply to launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft from or on non-federally owned lands located within the exterior boundaries of units of the National Park System. However, in accordance with 36 CFR 1.2(a)(3), the compendium closure applies to such activities conducted on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States located within the boundaries of the National Park System.
3.Nothing in this Policy Memorandum will be construed as modifying any requirement imposed by the FAA on the use or operation of unmanned aircraft in the National Airspace System. The NPS will continue to coordinate with the FAA on national or other appropriate levels regarding the use of unmanned aircraft on lands and waters administered by the NPS.
