Be familiar with all the laws in Alaska before you take off with your camera drone. These laws are created by Federal, State, and local government agencies for the protection of the public.
Federal Laws For Drone Use In Alaska
The federal government created the drone laws, which apply to all states in the U.S.A, including Alaska.
You must be a commercial pilot to fly a drone in Alaska. In addition, for work/business purposes, you must follow the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule. Part 107 includes passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test to receive a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Alaska allows hobbyists to fly drones. However, the FAA requires you to pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) to fly drones for pleasure or fun. The FAA also requires you to adhere to the rules for recreational model aircraft. In addition, you will need to pay $5 to register your drone if it weighs in at more than 0.55 lbs (250g). Additional rules apply to altitude and airspace, as well as keeping your drone in line of sight while you fly.
You must be a commercial pilot to fly a drone in Alaska. In addition, for work/business purposes, you must follow the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule. Part 107 includes passing the FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test to receive a Remote Pilot Certificate.
Alaska allows hobbyists to fly drones. However, the FAA requires you to pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) to fly drones for pleasure or fun. The FAA also requires you to adhere to the rules for recreational model aircraft. In addition, you will need to pay $5 to register your drone if it weighs in at more than 0.55 lbs (250g). Additional rules apply to altitude and airspace, as well as keeping your drone in line of sight while you fly.
State Laws For Drone Use In Alaska
These drone laws applied to Alaska and were established by the Alaska State Legislature.
According to the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Alaska State Legislature, Alaska has one state law governing drone use in its state.
This law limits how law enforcement can use drones in their operations, including how and whether they can save images and video captured by drones.
Alaska currently does not have specific laws for drone pilots who are hobbyists or commercial. The 29th Alaska state legislature established a task force in 2015. It issued Drone/UAS Operator Safety Guidelines and FAQs regarding Privacy. This document draws from the FAA and Know Before You Fly resources regarding safety and law enforcement. It contains basic guidelines to avoid privacy concerns when flying a drone (e.g., don’t spy and don’t peek).
Part 107 regulations apply to all drone pilots who run commercially in Alaska.
According to the Alaska Department of Transportation and the Alaska State Legislature, Alaska has one state law governing drone use in its state.
This law limits how law enforcement can use drones in their operations, including how and whether they can save images and video captured by drones.
Alaska currently does not have specific laws for drone pilots who are hobbyists or commercial. The 29th Alaska state legislature established a task force in 2015. It issued Drone/UAS Operator Safety Guidelines and FAQs regarding Privacy. This document draws from the FAA and Know Before You Fly resources regarding safety and law enforcement. It contains basic guidelines to avoid privacy concerns when flying a drone (e.g., don’t spy and don’t peek).
Part 107 regulations apply to all drone pilots who run commercially in Alaska.
Local Laws For Drones In Alaska
These drone laws, which only apply to certain areas, cities, or counties within Alaska, were created by different authorities.
UAVs are not permitted in the Southeastern Area during open salmon fishing periods (State Code 33.398-Salmon Fishing).
UAVs are not permitted in the Southeastern Area during open salmon fishing periods (State Code 33.398-Salmon Fishing).
Can You Fly And Take Photographs In National Parks?
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has banned drones in Chugach State Park. In addition, this law prohibits all aircraft from Chugach State Park except those authorized to fly into Bold Airport.
Denali National Park is one of the most stunning locations in the United States. It would be great to take aerial photos in this area! But is it allowed to fly a drone within the park? We found out the truth.
Denali National Park prohibits recreational drone flying because the National Park Service (NPS) has prohibited the taking off or landing of drones within national parks in the United States. However, drone pilots who have been granted special permission or are emergency service personnel and government officials can fly in national parks like Denali.
Although you may not be allowed to fly over Denali National Park, there are ways around it. Keep reading to learn how to fly your drone above Denali National Park legally.
Denali National Park is one of the most stunning locations in the United States. It would be great to take aerial photos in this area! But is it allowed to fly a drone within the park? We found out the truth.
Denali National Park prohibits recreational drone flying because the National Park Service (NPS) has prohibited the taking off or landing of drones within national parks in the United States. However, drone pilots who have been granted special permission or are emergency service personnel and government officials can fly in national parks like Denali.
Although you may not be allowed to fly over Denali National Park, there are ways around it. Keep reading to learn how to fly your drone above Denali National Park legally.
Can You Legally Operate Your Drone Over Denali National Park?
Denali National Park is Alaska’s most famous National Park. Amazing views reward visitors to this park that will last a lifetime.
National parks are sensitive areas, with this park’s view being unmatched as a wonderful place to fly for some fantastic aerial shots. However, Denali National Park is not a place to fly drones as a recreational pilot.
Only the NPS law states that you cannot take off or land within a national park. However, you can take off and land in any other national park that allows you to fly over the park. The NPS should not have any issues if you don’t take off or land in the National Park.
National parks are sensitive areas, with this park’s view being unmatched as a wonderful place to fly for some fantastic aerial shots. However, Denali National Park is not a place to fly drones as a recreational pilot.
Only the NPS law states that you cannot take off or land within a national park. However, you can take off and land in any other national park that allows you to fly over the park. The NPS should not have any issues if you don’t take off or land in the National Park.
Can You Fly A Drone In Denali National Park?
Denali National Park is one of the most stunning locations in the United States. It would be great to take aerial photos in this area! But is it allowed to fly a drone within the park? We found out the truth.
Denali National Park prohibits recreational drones from being taken off-road. This is because the National Park Service (NPS) has banned drones within national parks in the United States. However, drone pilots who have been granted special permission or are emergency service personnel and government officials can fly in national parks like Denali.
Even though Denali National Park prohibits drone flying, there are ways around it. Keep reading to learn how to fly your drone above Denali National Park legally.
Denali National Park prohibits recreational drones from being taken off-road. This is because the National Park Service (NPS) has banned drones within national parks in the United States. However, drone pilots who have been granted special permission or are emergency service personnel and government officials can fly in national parks like Denali.
Even though Denali National Park prohibits drone flying, there are ways around it. Keep reading to learn how to fly your drone above Denali National Park legally.
Can You Lawfully Operate Your Drone Over Denali National Park?
Denali National Park is Alaska’s most famous National Park. Amazing views reward visitors to this park that will last a lifetime.
National parks are sensitive areas. Denali’s stunning scenery makes it a great place to fly drones for fabulous aerial shots. However, Denali National Park is not a place to fly drones as a recreational pilot.
Only the NPS law states that you cannot take off or land within a national park. However, you can take off and land in any other national park that allows you to fly over the park. The NPS should not have any issues if you don’t take off or land in the National Park.
National parks are sensitive areas. Denali’s stunning scenery makes it a great place to fly drones for fabulous aerial shots. However, Denali National Park is not a place to fly drones as a recreational pilot.
Only the NPS law states that you cannot take off or land within a national park. However, you can take off and land in any other national park that allows you to fly over the park. The NPS should not have any issues if you don’t take off or land in the National Park.
Fly The Drone Outside Denali National Park
In fact, on the NPSs official website, they have an article confirming that doing this is perfectly fine. Pilots often try to find open spaces near National Parks to land and take off from that allows them to fly over the National Park, grab what they need, and land safely outside.
However, there are risks associated with this method. It is still risky to take off from outside the park while flying above the national park. There are always risks that the drone could malfunction and crash within the park. This could cause severe problems for you, the NPS, and law enforcement.
Another issue that arises from using this method is that you could potentially lose sight of your drone, which is going against the FAA rules and regulations. If you do not, you could find yourself in some serious trouble!
However, there are risks associated with this method. It is still risky to take off from outside the park while flying above the national park. There are always risks that the drone could malfunction and crash within the park. This could cause severe problems for you, the NPS, and law enforcement.
Another issue that arises from using this method is that you could potentially lose sight of your drone, which is going against the FAA rules and regulations. If you do not, you could find yourself in some serious trouble!
Why Are Drones Banned In National Parks?
Because drones can cause disturbance to wildlife and people who visit National Parks, the National Park Services (NPS) has banned their use. After multiple incidents in the country that led to bans in other national parks, the ban was implemented in 2014.
“The drone ban was prompted by serious concerns about the adverse impact flying unmanned aircraft has on parks.” - Jonathan Jarvis, Director of National Park Service.
NPS was concerned about the drone noise. The NPS was also worried about drones’ visual distractions, making it difficult for people to appreciate the park’s beauty.
Pilots have attempted to counter this argument by saying that they could avoid more populated areas. However, this did not resolve the NPS’s concerns.
NPS was also concerned about the potential adverse effects drones could have on animals and the environment. Drones had just begun to be a common hobby item when the ban was implemented in 2014.
It is hard to imagine how many drones could be seen flying in the National Parks today, given their popularity and accessibility.
Drone Incidents at National Parks
Before and after the ban, drones were a severe problem in National Parks.
These are just a handful of the incidents.
“The drone ban was prompted by serious concerns about the adverse impact flying unmanned aircraft has on parks.” - Jonathan Jarvis, Director of National Park Service.
NPS was concerned about the drone noise. The NPS was also worried about drones’ visual distractions, making it difficult for people to appreciate the park’s beauty.
Pilots have attempted to counter this argument by saying that they could avoid more populated areas. However, this did not resolve the NPS’s concerns.
NPS was also concerned about the potential adverse effects drones could have on animals and the environment. Drones had just begun to be a common hobby item when the ban was implemented in 2014.
It is hard to imagine how many drones could be seen flying in the National Parks today, given their popularity and accessibility.
Drone Incidents at National Parks
Before and after the ban, drones were a severe problem in National Parks.
These are just a handful of the incidents.
- In 2013, a drone operate landed his drone right on top of President Lincolns’ head at Mount Rushmore.
- Yellowstone National Park officials once had to force a helicopter used for its purposes to crash into a drone.
- A Dutch tourist crashed a drone into Yellowstone National Park’s Grand Prismatic Spring geyser in August 2014. He was given a one-year ban and a $3,200 fine.
What Are The Consequences Of Flying A Drone In A National Park?
The National Park Service seems to be a powerless agency, even though they have much power in their manage parks. Nevertheless, they take the ban against drones very seriously, and they will not hesitate to take action against anyone who violates the rules.
Deciding to violate any of the rules relating to drones within the National Park could result in you having to pay a hefty $5,000 fine or even spend up to six months in prison.
Deciding to violate any of the rules relating to drones within the National Park could result in you having to pay a hefty $5,000 fine or even spend up to six months in prison.
Is There A Way To Get Around The Drone Ban In National Parks?
While the NPS bans recreational pilots from flying drones in national parks, it allows them to obtain a Special Use Permit used for research, fire safety, searches and rescue, and other purposes. These permits are still challenging to get. In the past, drones were used by the NPS.
Is It Worth Taking A Chance?
Although it is not possible to fly your drone inside the national park, it can be flown over the park if your drone is not lost. Safety is better than sorry. If you’re not confident with your flying abilities, avoid flying near national parks.
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