Georgia Drone Laws
Flying a drone in Georgia is legally permitted, but you need to be aware of the drone laws in Georgia. There are some general rules, state and federal rules that apply to flying drones in the state.
State Drone Laws
These are the drone laws that affect the state of Georgia. The Georgia General Assembly came up with these rules. They include:
You can’t fly drones in important sites like Georgia’s State Parks and Historic Sites. On some occasions, you can get permission to fly drones in these areas. The exception is if you are doing it for commercial projects. The projects should be a revenue source, or if you want to promote these sites.
You must get the necessary documents, which include a request application. It must have details about the project. The site you want to do the project, the time and date of the project. You must submit all these documents. They must have approval from the necessary authorities. You must also have the FAA drone registration, the pilot’s name, and proof that the FAA certificate is valid.
Flying a drone in an area full of people is not acceptable because it may put people at risk. If you make a blanket request, you will not get a permit. A drone pilot needs to get the part 107 certification. You will receive it after the FAA certification exam. (1,2)
There are rules you must follow to be eligible to get the certificate, and they include:
Getting an FAA tracking number- It would be best if you created an IACRA profile before doing a knowledge test.
The Knowledge Testing Center administers the FAA knowledge exams. They occur after a certain period of time. You need to bring a photo ID issued by the government.
You must pass the first aeronautical knowledge test. It deals with topics in the aeronautical field. You must be familiar with topics like the crew resource management regulations.
To get a remote pilot certificate, you need to complete the FAA form 8710-13.
Local Drone Laws
These are drone laws in Georgia but only apply to certain areas or cities. Different authorities created them in the state.
City of Conveyers Municipal law //2017– Various parts of the city ordinance do not allow the use of a drone. The city horse park and Cherokee Run Golf Course does not allow drones to be in the area. This is because of the safety measures placed by the government.
City of Augusta (Municipal law//2016)– This law does not permit drones in populated areas in Richmond County. You need permission from the necessary authority for this to happen. This prohibition does not apply to the model planes that have undergone approval. The approval should be from the relevant authorities in Georgia. You need to follow the necessary procedures to get approval.
Cherokee County (Municipal law//2016)– City drones can fly in acceptable areas. If you want to fly a drone, you need to go to a part of the state which allows it. You must ensure that you abide by all these rules to prevent any legal restrictions in the future.
Federal Drone Laws
Federal drone laws affect every state in the country. The federal government came up with these laws. This is a way of protecting citizens and the environment.
You need to follow the FAA part 107 rule if you are from Georgia and flying a drone for business purposes. You also need a remote pilot certificate, which you get from passing the knowledge test.
If you are flying a drone as a hobby, you need to adhere to the FAA’s rule for recreation. An example of the rule is if your drone is heavy, you need to pay extra money. A heavy drone weighs over 250g, and you will need to pay an extra $5 for it to get registered. Your drone should be in sight when you are flying it. This will help prevent your drone from damaging property or it getting damaged.
If you work for the government either as a law enforcer or firefighter in Georgia, you will have to follow the FAA’s part 107. You will also need a Certificate of Authorization from the federal government. The certificate must or show that you qualify to fly a drone. If it does not, you will not get a permit to fly a drone in Georgia.
Drone Regulation Compliance Tips
You need to know about drones. If you fly a drone for fun purposes, there are a few rules compared to flying it for business purposes. An individual working in the film industry and uses drones need to get a part 107 certificate. After that, they can capture photos or videos in an aerial view.
The drone should undergo registration if it is heavier than the normal-sized drones. A normal drone weighs 250g. It is compulsory to get an FAA identification number and register it. You only need to pay $5, which will cover you for three years.
It would be best if you know some of the basic rules. It would help if you did not fly below or at 400 feet to prevent disrupting other activities. Your drone should be within the site so that you can avoid any obstacles. Don’t fly drones in a prohibited area because you will be breaking the law.
You must ensure that other planes are not around. This means you can’t fly drones in or near airports. Don’t fly it on top of people. You can’t fly a drone in a stadium or sports center because you will be making people uncomfortable. Drones should not be above emergency response in circumstances such as fires. Also, do not fly a drone while using drugs.
These rules are common knowledge, and you need to ensure you follow them. Also, you need to know that drones can’t fly in national parks. This is because they will make animals uncomfortable. If you want to get a compelling image site, you may need to contact the necessary authorities.
It would help if you were cautious about flying a drone to avoid getting a lawsuit.
