Ohio State Park Rules...

drm · Feb 8, 2017

Just found this in the updated Ohio State Park rules:

1501:41-13-11 Aviation.

(A) It shall be permissible to utilize any airplane, balloon, glider, parachute, or any other flying machine or aerial apparatus, to take off, ascend, land, alight, or otherwise come to rest upon lands administered by the division where designated airfields or maintained landing zones are located.
....
Effective: 10/14/2016
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 10/14/2021

Emphasis is mine...This is the first rule I have seen that expressly permits flying....as to whether there are designated airfields or landing zones remains to be seen....

See the entire rule here: Lawriter - OAC

Richard R · Feb 8, 2017

Yeah, need to talk to the office here t Buck Creek Park to make some arrangements. The local RCrs already fly down below the spillway so shouldn't be too much hassle.

Suhail78 · Feb 8, 2017

i think the "gotcha" part is this line....

where designated airfields or maintained landing zones are located.

so what defines a "designated" airfield or landing zone?

Richard R · Feb 8, 2017

Yeah, that's going to be the fly in the ointment. Very few, if any, of our state parks actually have airfields or landing zones. Wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't refer to things like the flying site that the local RCers use. they actually mow the grass to define runways and taxiways.

Suhail78 · Feb 8, 2017

Richard R said:
Yeah, that's going to be the fly in the ointment. Very few, if any, of our state parks actually have airfields or landing zones. Wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't refer to things like the flying site that the local RCers use. they actually mow the grass to define runways and taxiways.

yup...and i live in Columbus, and know of an AMA field, but if your not a member they dont allow you to fly there, so there goes that idea.

drm · Feb 9, 2017

That's the one over by Delaware State Park, I bet. I flew there (at the park, not the field) last year, but maybe I won't be able to this year. I'll have to inquire with the authorities.

Suhail78 · Feb 9, 2017

I go fly over and around hoover reservoir, there are no restrictions that i'm aware of, i've gone over a dozen times probably, never had any problems.

drm · Feb 9, 2017

Suhail78 said:
I go fly over and around hoover reservoir, there are no restrictions that i'm aware of, i've gone over a dozen times probably, never had any problems.

Where do you take off from at the Hoover reservoir?

Suhail78 · Feb 10, 2017

there are several good spots, but this is where i started out at.......

Walnut Street Park

drm · Feb 10, 2017

Good to know. Maybe I'll find time to go over there the next time I go camping at Delaware SP. Nice video.

stephenrevez25 · Mar 19, 2017

dosnt say its restricted just says that's were they are permitted right

Richard R · Mar 19, 2017

drm said:
That's the one over by Delaware State Park, I bet. I flew there (at the park, not the field) last year, but maybe I won't be able to this year. I'll have to inquire with the authorities.

Let's take the wording at face value. Doesn't say that you have to take off or land at the designated facility, only that there has to be one on the 'park ' property. Not a lot of great scenery around Buck Creek park, but I want to make sure that I can fly there. Got a free day later this week, trip to the park office may be in oder.

Nrdblaze · Jul 27, 2017

I reached out to Ohio state parks on Facebook and was told they would ask a parks expert. While I did not get back a reply from the expert, my original contact sent back the following.

Nathan, I have not heard back yet, but from what I know, there are some parks that designate parking lots as "take off" areas, but it is best to call the park itself to find out where they prefer you to operate. As long as you follow FAA rules on drones, that has worked in our state parks.

Richard R · Jul 28, 2017

Wouldn't that be a breath of fresh air in a world where everyone else is ignoring FAA juristiction and trying to squash all sUAS flying?

Scott Davis · Feb 27, 2018

Richard R said:
Yeah, need to talk to the office here t Buck Creek Park to make some arrangements. The local RCrs already fly down below the spillway so shouldn't be too much hassle.

I talked to a Ranger at Buck Creek last Fall. He said the Army Corps of Engineers owns the entire park lands and lets the state use it. Flying near the dam, is a no-no, I understand that. But the entire park? I didn't fly because it is hard to determine state vs. private lands there.

Today I talked to a Ranger at Indian Lake State Park. Both were very nice and professional btw. I asked him, and he said an inter-agency memo (he showed me on his laptop) bans them since this past Fall. I have spent the last hour looking for it on line with no luck. I asked him what if I stood across the street for take off and landing and overflew the lake. He said no issues, so that is what I did. Makes no sense to me, it is so much safer to fly as close as possible to my photo mission.

How are we supposed to know the rules, if they don't publish them . . . ?

BillOh · Dec 31, 2018

Hello all, this thrad via a google search led me to this forum and of course this thread. That is why I am resurrecting the old thread! Technically I am not even going to be a phantom pilot. I bought a DJI Spark over the holidays at a great price and I let me wife talk me into saving it for my 60th birthday which occurs Father's Day weekend. (I call that Super weekend) I was thinking of finding a quiet place up at Delaware St Park and learning to fly away from people, possibly getting campsite video/pictures.

for now, lots of reading and learning with youtube videos.