Drone Laws and Regulations Summary

Required for commercial or educational drone use if the drone weighs between $0.55$ and $55$ pounds.
Involves passing a $60$ -question multiple-choice exam at an FAA testing center.
A score of $70\%$ or higher is needed to get certified.
Even farmers need certification if using drones for business-related purposes, such as assessing land.

Daylight Hours:
- Flying is permitted during daylight hours.
- Includes $30$ minutes before official sunrise and $30$ minutes after official sunset if the drone has anti-collision lights visible for three miles.
Altitude Limit:
- Maximum altitude is $400$ feet above ground level (AGL).
- Also allows for $400$ feet above a structure (building, grain bin, etc.).
Airspace Authorization:
- Requires air traffic controller authorization within five miles of a controlled airport.
- Controlled airspaces are classified as Class B through Class E.
Visual Line of Sight (VLOS):
- Must maintain visual line of sight with the drone using your own eyes.
- Binoculars or the drone controller screen are not allowed for maintaining VLOS.
Flying Over People:
- Flying over non-participating people is prohibited.
Right of Way:
- Always yield to manned aircraft (hot air balloons, helicopters, planes).
Visibility:
- Requires three miles of visibility (related to weather conditions like mist or fog).

Maximum Speed:
- $100$ miles per hour or $87$ knots.
Moving Vehicles:
- Cannot fly a drone from a moving vehicle unless in a sparsely populated area.
External Loads:
- Carrying an external load is allowed if it doesn't affect the drone's flight or controllability.
- The drone with cargo must not exceed $55$ pounds.
- Cannot carry hazardous materials or transport cargo across state lines.
- In Hawaii, DC, or US territories, cargo flights require a waiver.

Waivers can be requested for most regulations online.
When filing a waiver, explain how the flight will be as safe as possible despite not following all regulations.
- Example: For night flights, consider using multiple visual observers, scouting the area during the day, and restricting flight height.

Preflight Inspection:
- Perform a preflight inspection before each flight.
- Check propellers and rotors (if applicable).
- Ensure a good connection between the controller and the drone.
Logs:
- Keep logs of changes, accidents, or repairs.
Accident Reporting:
- Report serious injuries (loss of consciousness, hospitalization) to the FAA within ten days.
- Report property damage exceeding $500 to the FAA within ten days.

Drones between $0.55$ and $55$ pounds must be registered, regardless of commercial or recreational use.
Registration is done on the FAA DroneZone website.
The fee is $5, and registration is valid for three years.
Drone owners must apply for registration unless they are 13 years old or younger (in which case a parent or guardian must apply).

Flying a drone over private property can be considered criminal trespassing.
Shooting down a drone is technically destruction of personal property; it's best to let law enforcement handle such situations
Drones flying near private property and capturing images can also be a concern.

Tennessee has laws against capturing images or conducting surveillance of individuals or their private property, even if the drone isn't directly over the property.
Other prohibited actions include dropping items into venues with over $100$ people, flying drones at fireworks displays, or over correctional facilities (misdemeanor charges).
Flying drones over critical infrastructure facilities (wastewater treatment, chemical storage, manufacturing plants, power generation) can result in felony charges.