Commercial Drone Use

The Forest Service works with Federal partners, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), to ensure commercial and recreational/hobbyist use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) on National Forest System Lands protects public safety and respects privacy.

UAS Special Use Permit

An operator of a UAS for business on NFS lands will need to have a permit for the activity that requires the use of a UAS.  UAS use is not a specific special use permit, but is rather incorperated into an Operations and Maintenance Plan approved by the Forest Service. Contact your special use permit administrator early to determine what the requirements are for your situation.

Commercial Filming Drone Use

If you would like to use a drone during commercial filming there are several criteria that must be met in order for drone use to be considered by the Forest Service. Meeting the following criteria will not necessarily guarentee commercial drone use permisisons, however having these items submitted at the time of  film permit application submittal can greatly increase the chances of being approved by the Forest Service.

1. Small UAS Certificate of Registration (Federal Aviation Administration) of drone to be used during filming
2. Remote Pilot license (Dept. of Transportation/FAA)
3. Certificate of  Liablity Insurance for unmanned aircraft
4. Drone filight plan, which includes description of drone to be used, name of pilot, location description where drone will be used and includes map(s), description of  how drone will be used that includes maximum flight height from ground and lateral distances from pilot, and description of the purpose for needing a drone.

Recreational or Hobby UAS

Recreational or hobby UAS use is flying for enjoyment and not for work, business purposes, or for compensation or hire. Members of the public may fly UAS for hobby or recreation in many places on National Forest System lands. However, there are areas on National Forest System lands where UAS can't be flown by Federal law and in accordance with FAA guidelilnes. Recreational or Hobby UAS use is not permitted in Wilderness areas, campgrounds and trailheads, areas with temporary flight restricitons in place (e.g. during wildfire or other natural resource management missions), and Forest Service helibases, airtanker bases, and other aircraft facilities including backcountry airstrips.

The FAA rules for operating an unmanned aircraft

	Fly for Fun	Fly for Work
Pilot Requirements	No pilot requirements	Must have Remote Pilot Airman Certificate Must be 16 years old Must pass TSA vetting
Aircraft Requirements	Must be registered if over 0.55 lbs.	Must be less than 55 lbs. Must be registered if over 0.55 lbs. (online) Must undergo pre-flight check to ensure UAS is in condition for safe operation
Location Requirements	5 miles from airports without prior notification to airport and air traffic control	Class G airspace*
Operating Rules	Must ALWAYS yield right of way to manned aircraft Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight) UAS must be under 55 lbs. Must follow community-based safety guidelines Must notify airport and air traffic control tower before flying within 5 miles of an airport	Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight)* Must fly under 400 feet* Must fly during the day* Must fly at or below 100 mph* Must yield right of way to manned aircraft* Must NOT fly over people* Must NOT fly from a moving vehicle*
Example Applications	Educational or recreational flying only	Flying for commercial use (e.g. providing aerial surveying or photography services) Flying incidental to a business (e.g. doing roof inspections or real estate photography)
Legal or Regulatory Basis	Public Law 112-95, Section 336 – Special Rule for Model Aircraft FAA Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft	Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulation (14 CFR) Part 107 *These rules are subject to waiver