Being a drone pilot doesn't mean you can fly your drone anywhere you want. Different states have rules and regulations that every drone pilot needs to follow.
If you are considering flying your drone in Indiana, you have just come to the right place. Because in this article, you will learn all the rules and regulations before flying your drone in Indiana.
I will also tell you some things to avoid to ensure you have an excellent flight without any unwanted events. If you are interested in learning all this, keep on reading!
The State of Indiana allows the flight of both commercial and recreational drones in its airspace, provided that the pilot fully follows the rules and regulations imposed by the local governments and FAA.
If you are a recreational drone pilot, the main rule is to pass the FAA recreational UAS test known as "TRUST." Apart from that, if you are a commercial pilot, you will need to have a license from your respective organization that you can present whenever a law enforcement officer asks you to show.
Some laws are put in place by the state government of Indiana. If you are a recreational drone pilot and want to explore different spots within Indiana, you must obey these laws.
Besides the state laws, there are some local laws that both commercial and recreational drone pilots must follow. These rules include submitting the following information to the Fort Wayne Police department before taking off:
According to the IAC 312 8-2-8 (I) (2018), no one can operate any kind of drone in any state park or recreational space in Indiana. However, the UAS operator must have a license from the department of natural resources (DNR) before using the drone for filming from the above.
Indiana requires drones to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration before you fly them. Also, if your drone weighs over 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, you must attach the FAA's registration number to it.
Furthermore, if you are using the drone for just recreational purposes and if the drone's weight is less than 0.55 pounds, you don't need to register it. Additionally, you must always carry your drone's registration certificate, whether on paper or electronically.
According to the FAA, every recreational pilot must get a drone license before flying their drone. You can get the drone license by taking the drone pilot test for the recreational pilot as mentioned earlier and is called the TRUST.
You need to be at least 16 years old to become eligible for this test. Once you take the test and clear it, you will get a license that allows you to fly your drone anywhere in the state of Indiana. However, you still need to follow federal, state, and local laws.
The Federal Aviation Administration has made the registration process for drone pilots very simple. You will need to visit the FAA's website individually using this link. Then you will have to fill out a form by putting your name, address, and email.
Apart from that, you will also need to submit your drone model, company name, and the serial number of the drone you want to fly. However, your age must be 16 years or above to become eligible for registration. In addition to this, you will need to have a credit card for the registration process.
Scheduling the FAA drone test is easier than you think. Thanks to the online registration system, you don't need to visit different offices again and again just to schedule your test. Here is a complete method of planning your FAA test in Indiana.
Note that you need to pay $175 for scheduling your FAA drone pilot exam.
Indiana’s state laws prohibit flying drones over private properties. Even law enforcement officers need to get warranted with exceptions before using it in surveillance operations.
Therefore, you should always avoid flying your drone over private properties as much as possible. Even if you intend to shoot a film from the above, you should always get permission from the respective property owner to avoid getting into trouble.