Hi guys!
I will travel to Florida (Orlando, Miami and Keywest) this summer and will of course bring my mavic air. In Norway, the main rules for drone flight are:
- 5 km away from an airport
- Max 120 m up in the air
- 150m away from traffic and crowds

My impression is that drone rules in the United States are very strict compared to Norway. I wonder if it's possible to fly drone in Keywest and Orlando? What are the main rules? I was hoping to get a drone shot of the ocean road to Keywest.

Be 5 Miles from an airport and below 400 feet AGL and you’ll be fine. It is against the rules to take off or land in a National Park but you can fly over National Park land.

I flew a lot in Florida and the rules are pretty similar to Norway.


-5 miles instead of 5 kilometers

-max altitude of 120 meters or 400 feet, just like Norway.

-There's no distance that you must keep between your drone and people in the US. The actual law is that you cannot fly OVER people.

-You must register with the FAA. It costs 5 USD, but I don't think you should get it only for a short trip. The rule is not enforced and pretty much no cop even knows you need to register with the FAA.

-Don't fly in National Parks or National Monuments.

- Always keep LOS (line of sight). Pretty much nobody respects this law all the time but it is still a law.



And that's pretty much the most important ones. I've never had problems in the USA so this is not something to worry about. USA is not strict AT ALL compared to Canada...

ok thanks guys! I'm guessing as long as I use common sense and follow these main rules when flying, it should be fine without any problems.

All of Key West and Marathon will be in ATC airspace.  Just don't do anything stupid or fly too high and you'll be okay.  You will get some fantastic shots on the drive down from Key Largo.  The area south of Islamorada called Matecombie is my favorite scenic part of the that drive.  If you want good shots of the 7 mile bridge, go the west side, Marathon is on the east side, there are some parking areas right as you get off the bridge, good for launching.  you can also walk down the old 7 mile bridge at that point, no cars, just people fishing for a mile and launch from there.  have fun!!  Bolton

Thanks for awesome tips! I checked google maps and this seems to be good spots for launching ! I can't wait to see the footage mavic air will produce on this awsome place ( used to snow and rain..)

NordicMavicAIR Posted at 2018-3-7 13:11
ok thanks guys! I'm guessing as long as I use common sense and follow these main rules when flying, it should be fine without any problems.

Many areas of the Keys are Wildlife Sanctuaries, just watch where you take off from and you should be OK, especially stay away from any birds you may encounter, there are many Aviary enthusiasts and they take offense to tracking/following & harassing the airborne wildlife. I live in Daytona Beach area and have been to the Keys many,many times.

Here is a link to FWS ( Florida Wildlife Sanctuary's ) you can not take off or land in the areas shaded green.

US Wildlife Sanctuary's

Tridiver Posted at 2018-3-7 13:53
All of Key West and Marathon will be in ATC airspace.  Just don't do anything stupid or fly too high and you'll be okay.  You will get some fantastic shots on the drive down from Key Largo.  The area south of Islamorada called Matecombie is my favorite scenic part of the that drive.  If you want good shots of the 7 mile bridge, go the west side, Marathon is on the east side, there are some parking areas right as you get off the bridge, good for launching.  you can also walk down the old 7 mile bridge at that point, no cars, just people fishing for a mile and launch from there.  have fun!!  Bolton

Thanks for awesome tips! I checked google maps and this seems to be good spots for launching ! I can't wait to see the footage mavic air will produce on this awsome place ( used to snow and rain..)

The laws seem similar for United States compared to Norway.

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-3-7 14:22
The laws seem similar for United States compared to Norway.

The main points:
-Fly below 400 feet altitude
-Line of sight
-Do not fly next to major airports
-Do not fly over Sports Stadiums

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-3-7 14:23
The main points:
-Fly below 400 feet altitude
-Line of sight

You also may need to register your drone with the FAA?

QuadKid Posted at 2018-3-7 14:18
Many areas of the Keys are Wildlife Sanctuaries, just watch where you take off from and you should be OK, especially stay away from any birds you may encounter, there are many Aviary enthusiasts and they take offense to tracking/following & harassing the airborne wildlife. I live in Daytona Beach area and have been to the Keys many,many times.

Here is a link to FWS ( Florida Wildlife Sanctuary's ) you can not take off or land in the areas shaded green.

noted! I'm usually very careful about flying around birds ( almost lost my Spark to an eagle in Norway.. :0

davidmartingraf Posted at 2018-3-7 14:23
You also may need to register your drone with the FAA?

Thanks! Yeah, I think I will registre my drone

NordicMavicAIR Posted at 2018-3-7 14:29
Thanks! Yeah, I think I will registre my drone

Good glad I could help.

I also live in Florida and just started seeing brown plaques with a picture of a white drone saying no drones allowed.
It didn't take them long to start putting them up.

sky6105 Posted at 2018-3-8 01:49
I also live in Florida and just started seeing brown plaques with a picture of a white drone saying no drones allowed.
It didn't take them long to start putting them up.

Where did you see the signs. I live in the Tampa Bay area and have not seen any sign (yet).

Hell yea as others said above Florida is just a huge NFZ. Make sure to UNLOCK online before flying pretty much anywhere or you're gonna have a bad surprise.

Don't forget that there is a NFZ around Disney World ;)  Do not uspset the mouse !

RobertW Posted at 2018-3-8 11:43
Where did you see the signs. I live in the Tampa Bay and have not seen any sign (yet).

Mostly all are state parks over here have them at least the 3 that I have been to.

As for the brown signs with white drones on them, just don't fly a Phantom or any other WHITE drone from there.   

I believe I read somewhere you also cannot take off or land in a State Park, same as a National Park.

Also remember to be courteous.  If someone objects to where you're flying, try to stay friendly, explain that you're just doing your hobby, and perhaps land the quad and move to another location.  Not a law, but probably something we pilots should be doing in every country.

This is from the FAA To fly under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft you must:

Fly for hobby or recreation ONLY
Register your model aircraft
Fly within visual line-of-sight
Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization
Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
Never fly near other aircraft
Notify the airport and air traffic control tower prior to flying within 5 miles of an airport*
Never fly near emergency response efforts site.

I'm pretty sure you will not be allowed to fly over theme parks either, as I believe they are restricted airspace...

If Trump is in town, there will be a NFZ over him while he is golfing. Fortunately, this only happens about 35 weeks a year, so you might be OK ;)

VegasBobNoWay Posted at 2018-3-8 20:08
This is from the FAA To fly under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft you must:

Fly for hobby or recreation ONLY

I was in Clearwater Beach and you have to check if your flight is nautical or statute miles. When you notify the flight tower. Made no odds to me as the local tower understood I was a guy fly8ng a toy and having fun. If you are going to the US anytime in the next 3 years, it is worth registering.

How do you notify the tower? (is there a number to call or email or something?)

PUMMY Posted at 2018-3-9 07:09
I was in Clearwater Beach and you have to check if your flight is nautical or statute miles. When you notify the flight tower. Made no odds to me as the local tower understood I was a guy fly8ng a toy and having fun. If you are going to the US anytime in the next 3 years, it is worth registering.

There is no airport around Clearwater Beach, but allot of tourists (especially now) which may be p*****st if you fly above them.

RobertW Posted at 2018-3-9 08:34
There is no airport around Clearwater Beach, but allot of tourists (especially now) which may be p*****st if you fly above them.

SeanGalbraith Posted at 2018-3-9 08:27
How do you notify the tower? (is there a number to call or email or something?)

You have to call.
The phone numbers are easy to find in application like AIRMAP ( available for Android and iOS )

PS013 Posted at 2018-3-9 08:42
[view_image]

Sorry, I did not know this little local airfield is that close.

PS013 Posted at 2018-3-9 08:45
You have to call.
The phone numbers are easy to find in application like AIRMAP ( available for Android and iOS )

Thanks! Airmap seems super helpful.

Airmap great tool to have.