Drone Laws in Georgia Tips and Resources for Flying Drones in Georgia

The utilization of drones is increasingly expanding, with growing accessibility and affordability for both commercial and recreational applications. But owning a drone and taking it up into the air are not sufficient instructions for operating one.

Drone operators must abide by several laws and standards to maintain their safety and legality. We will provide you a thorough understanding of Georgia’s drone legislation in this post, including both federal and state regulations.

Additionally, we will provide you with advice and materials on how to fly your drone in Georgia safely and with enjoyment.

Federal Drone Laws in Georgia

In the United States, all facets of aviation, including drones, are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA has established a set of regulations and standards for drone operations, and Georgia is included in this list of states that must abide by them. You will need to adhere to various standards and procedures depending on the objective of your drone flight.

Georgia’s Recreational Drone Regulations

A recreational drone operator is someone who flies a drone for amusement or pleasure. The FAA mandates the following behavior from recreational drone pilots:

• Take and carry a copy of the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) certification.
• If your drone weighs greater than 0.55 lbs (250 g), you must register it with the FAA and label it with your registration number.
• Observe the recreational model airplane rules set forth by the FAA, which include:
  • Only use the air for leisure.
  • Please follow the safety guidelines provided by a Community-Based Organization (CBO) that has obtained recognition from the FAA.
  • Fly your drone along your line of sight or make use of a visual observer who is nearby and in close proximity to you.
  • Without first obtaining permission from the FAA via LAANC or DroneZone, you must not operate your drone in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or E).
  • Avoid flying your drone near military bases, emergency operations, stadiums, national parks, or other prohibited or restricted places.
  • Never take off or land your drone more than 400 feet above the earth or a building.
  • Flying a drone over people or moving traffic is not recommended.
  • Under the influence of drugs or alcohol, never operate a drone.
  • Never operate your drone in a negligent or reckless manner that puts other people’s lives or property in danger.

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Commercial Drone Laws in Georgia

A commercial drone operator is someone who uses a drone for employment or commercial endeavors. The FAA mandates the following behaviors from commercial drone operators:

• A Part 61 pilot certificate with a current flight review and successful completion of an online training course are both required to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate. You can also obtain one by passing the initial aeronautical knowledge test at a facility that has been certified by the FAA.
• If your drone has a weight exceeding 0.55 lbs (250 g), it is necessary to complete the registration process with the FAA and affix your unique registration number as a label on the drone.
• Please comply with the guidelines specified in the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule, which includes the following provisions:
  • Fly your drone along your line of sight or make use of a visual observer who is nearby and in close proximity to you.
  • Without first obtaining permission from the FAA via LAANC or DroneZone, you must not operate your drone in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or E).
  • Avoid flying your drone near military bases, emergency operations, stadiums, national parks, or other prohibited or restricted places.
  • Do not fly your drone closer to a structure than 400 feet away from it or higher than 400 feet above the earth.
  • If individuals are not actively involved in the operation, beneath a covered building, or within a stationary vehicle that can reasonably provide protection from impact, do not fly your drone over them.
  • Unless they are a necessary component of the operation, beneath a covered building, or within a stationary vehicle that can reasonably provide protection from contact, never fly your drone over moving cars.
  • Flying a drone at night requires special lights that can be seen for at least three statute miles and has a fast enough flash to prevent collisions.
  • Under the influence of drugs or alcohol, never operate a drone.
  • Never operate your drone in a negligent or reckless manner that puts other people’s lives or property in danger.
  • Unless you receive a waiver from the FAA, never fly more than one drone at once.
  • Unless you obtain a waiver from the FAA and are in a sparsely populated region, never fly your drone from a moving vehicle or aircraft.
  • Unless you have an FAA waiver, never fly your drone while carrying dangerous materials.
  • Without an FAA waiver, never fly your drone above humans or beyond visual line of sight.
  • Avoid flying your drone in Class G airspace without first alerting the airport’s operator and, if one is present, the air traffic control tower.

State Drone Laws in Georgia

Georgia has passed some particular drone laws that are applicable to the entire state in addition to the federal regulations. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is responsible for enforcing these laws, which were enacted by the Georgia General Assembly.

HB 481 // 2017

After April 1, 2017, municipal governments in the state are prohibited by this law from establishing their own UAS laws. The state or local government may also control how UAS are launched or landed on public property under this statute.

Georgia Department of Natural Resources Park Rules & Regulations

The State Parks and Historic Sites of Georgia forbid the use of drones. The exception is when professional, commercial projects that could bring in money or otherwise serve to promote the sites are accepted for waivers.

The Division Director’s prior consent is necessary in certain circumstances. Along with the FAA drone registration, the pilot’s name, and verification of FAA Small UAS Certification or Part 107, a commercial film/photography request application with precise dates and hours of drone use as well as a description of the project must be submitted.

The usage of drones over populous areas that could endanger park visitors will not be permitted and blanket requests won’t be granted.

Tips and Resources for Flying Drones in Georgia

Here are some advice and resources to assist you fly your drone safely and responsibly in Georgia now that you are more knowledgeable about the drone rules in Georgia.

• Check the weather before flying your drone at all times. Avoid flying when it’s windy, raining, snowing, foggy, or visibility is poor.
• Before flying your drone, always verify the airspace and any flight limitations. Access real-time airspace information using programs like AirMap, B4UFLY, or Kittyhawk, and if necessary, ask for LAANC authorization.
• Before using your drone, make sure you are abiding by all local laws and ordinances. Do not fly over private property without permission, and respect other people’s privacy and property rights.
• Always use common sense and civility when flying your drone. Adhere to the FAA’s safety recommendations and recommended procedures when using drones.
• Enjoy your drone flight and have fun at all times. With the help of your drone camera, explore Georgia’s stunning landscape and famous sites.

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How to Register Your Drone with the FAA?

Depending on why you want to fly your drone, there are different steps you can take to register it with the FAA. You will need to adhere to various rules and regulations depending on whether you operate your drone for leisure or business.

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Recreational Drone Registration

A recreational drone operator is someone who flies a drone for amusement or pleasure. In order to operate a drone for fun, you must:

• Please ensure you possess a copy of the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) certification and have it readily available for verification purposes.
• In the event that your drone exceeds a weight of 0.55 lbs (250 g), it is mandatory to register it with the FAA and affix your registration number as a label.
• Please adhere to the regulations outlined by the FAA for the operation of recreational model aircraft.

You have the option to register your drone either through online registration or by submitting the registration form via mail. If you choose to register online, you need to:

• Create a user account on the FAA DroneZone website.
• Choose “Fly Model Aircraft Under Section 349” and then adhere to the guidelines.
• Use a credit card or debit card to pay the $5 registration fee.
• Obtain a three-year registration number that needs to be updated every three years.

If you opt for registration via mail, the following steps need to be followed:

• A paper registration form can be printed out and completed at FAA.
• Send the filled-out form to the following address, along with a $5 check or money order made out to the Federal Aviation Administration:

Federal Aviation Administration PO Box 1270 Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1270

• Obtain a three-year registration number that needs to be updated every three years.

Your drone must prominently and legibly display your registration number. Permanent markers, labels, and engraving are all options. When using your drone, you must also have documentation of registration with you (either a paper copy or a digital copy).

Commercial Drone Registration

You are regarded as a commercial drone operator if you use your drone for professional or commercial endeavors. You must: in order to operate a commercial drone.

• A Part 61 pilot certificate with a recent flying review or the successful completion of an online training course are both requirements for obtaining a Remote Pilot Certificate.
• For drones weighing over 0.55 lbs (250 g), it is required to complete the registration process with the FAA and affix the assigned registration number as a label on the drone.
• Observe the Small UAS Rule (Part 107) of the FAA.

Online or postal registration is available for drones. If you decide to register online, 

• you must first create a user account on the FAA DroneZone website at https://faadronezone.faa.gov.
• Select the option “Fly small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) under Part 107” and then carefully follow the provided instructions.
• Use a credit card or debit card to pay the $5 registration fee.
• Obtain a three-year registration number that needs to be updated every three years.

You must: Download and complete a paper registration form 

• FAA if you decide to register by mail.
• Post the completed form to the Federal Aviation Administration Aircraft Registration.

Branch PO Box 25504 Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0504 along with a $5 check or money order made out to the FAA.

• Obtain a three-year registration number that needs to be updated every three years.

Your drone must prominently and legibly display your registration number. Permanent markers, labels, and engraving are all options. When using your drone, you must also have documentation of registration with you (either a paper copy or a digital copy).

What is LAANC?

The abbreviation LAANC stands for Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability. Drone operators can request and obtain near-real-time airspace authorizations for flying in regulated airspace surrounding airports thanks to a partnership between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the drone industry.

Air traffic control (ATC) services are offered in controlled airspace to guarantee the security and effectiveness of aircraft operations.

Why do you need LAANC?

You must first get an airspace authorization from the FAA in order to fly your drone in Georgia’s controlled airspace. This is because to the possible risk that flying a drone close to an airport poses to manned aircraft and airport operations. Without an airspace authorization, breaking FAA regulations could result in civil or criminal consequences.

Through an online application, LAANC offers a quick and simple method for asking for and receiving an airspace permission from the FAA. LAANC enables you to fly your drone in controlled airspace beneath 400 feet around airports that support it.

How to get LAANC?

The LAANC application procedure is determined by the goal of your drone flying. You will need to adhere to various rules and regulations depending on whether you operate your drone for leisure or business.

Recreational LAANC

A recreational drone operator is someone who flies a drone for amusement or pleasure. In order to operate a drone for fun, you must:

• Make sure to acquire and carry a copy of your Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) certification with you.
• In the case that your drone weighs more than 0.55 lbs (250 g), it is necessary to complete the registration process with the FAA and affix your registration number as a label on the drone.
• Observe the FAA’s regulations for recreational model aircraft.

One of the UAS Service Suppliers (USS) recognized by the FAA is where you can make a LAANC request. These businesses have created desktop and mobile applications that let you make a LAANC request and get other flight-related safety information.

On the FAA website, at https://www.faa.gov/uas/programs_partnerships/data_exchange/laanc/#recreational, you can select the USS that best suits your needs.

You must: in order to make a USS request for LAANC.

• Create a user account on the USS website or mobile application.
• Choose the intended flight’s date, time, location, and height.
• As soon as you choose to fly, your USS app will automatically display the option to fly at or below the height indicated by the UAS Facility Maps.
• Send in your LAANC application, then wait for confirmation.
• Get a notification or confirmation email with your authorisation information.
• When using your drone, always have documentation of authorization on you, whether it be a paper copy or a digital copy.

Commercial LAANC

You are regarded as a commercial drone operator if you use your drone for professional or commercial endeavors. You must: in order to operate a commercial drone.

One of the UAS Service Suppliers (USS) recognized by the FAA is where you can make a LAANC request. These businesses have created desktop and mobile applications that let you make a LAANC request and get other flight-related safety information.

You must: in order to make a USS request for LAANC.

• Create a user account on the USS website or mobile application.
• Choose the intended flight’s date, time, location, and height.
• As soon as you choose to fly, your USS app will automatically display the option to fly at or below the height indicated by the UAS Facility Maps.
• Send in your LAANC application, then wait for confirmation.
• Get a notification or confirmation email with your authorisation information.
• When using your drone, always have documentation of authorization on you, whether it be a paper copy or a digital copy.

Conclusion

Drones are incredible instruments that can offer both business and leisure users a variety of advantages and opportunities. They do, however, also bring with them obligations and dangers that must be managed. You can make sure that you are flying your drone in Georgia legally and safely by adhering to the state’s drone regulations. We sincerely hope that this post has given you more knowledge about Georgia’s drone regulations and how to enjoyably and responsibly fly your drone there.

FAQ’s