Last Friday, a Federal Circuit Court overturned the registration requirement for drones. Many people are hailing thisas the death of drone laws, but that’s not even vaguely accurate. At most, it may mean that people won’t need to register their drones at all or at least not if only used for hobby use (read: not as a part of your business). It may, however, be appealed or Congress could take action. DroneLife has a good article on the possible implications. Short answer: this still isn’t settled so don’t get too excited, yet.
Very importantly, this ruling, even if it stands, doesn’t affect operational rules that are tied to safety, like no-fly zones. It’s only about the registration requirement. Also, it is just about a federal regulation. States have their own and those are not affected by this ruling. Jonathan Rupprecht (Ruprecht Law) is an expert in drone law and has this page where you can look up your state’s laws and regulations. Do it.
I encourage any operatorto know her/his/theirapplicablestate’s laws (and federal ones) and to operate drones responsibly. Actually, I encourage people to reconsider using drones for the most part.Photographers and videographers have some legitimate uses for drones, but too often people are using them in ways that aren’t worth the downsides. Usinga drone inany sort of wilderness area, for example, makes for noise pollution for the creatures and the humans who are there to commune with nature. Drones generally are annoying to others and, often, an operator will be violating someone’s privacy in their use. I personally have experienced this–a neighbor buzzed me while I was in my own back yard. When I told him not to do that he was not exactly apologetic about his actions. He probably still believeshis right to fly isgreater than my right not to be buzzed and (probably) photographed. Don’t be that guy.
But if you do choose to use a drone, besides being a decent human about it, make sure you know all the applicable laws and regs–both fed and for your state and the state where you’ll be operating it (if you travel).