When it comes to flying drones, there are many rules to follow. It may seem easy to launch a drone and fly around without any restrictions. However, with technological advancement comes rules to suit the changing times. If you wish to fly a drone in North Dakota, you must keep yourself up-to-date with the current laws.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is a US agency that broadly governs drone operations in the entire country including the state of North Dakota. Additionally, there are state drone laws that only apply to North Dakota. While other states have local drone regulations specific to certain cities, the state of North Dakota currently has no local state laws governing certain areas.
These laws fall under the authority of the FAA and the US government. They govern drone operations for recreation, commercial, and government use.
Just as mobile phones and the internet were initially restricted to military communication, drones also began the same way. Currently, drones are a common recreational tool among hobbyists. They are sold in toy shops and come with cameras, making them suitable for recreation. However, before flying a drone for recreational purposes, there are rules to comply with.
With commercial drone operations, users make money from them. These include:
Below are rules to follow to successfully carry out a commercial drone operation:
You must have a Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA. To obtain this certificate:
To conduct drone operations for the government, one must either comply with the FAA Part 107 regulations or obtain a Federal Certificate of Authorization (FCO) from the FAA.
The FAA Part 107 rules are as follows:
These laws apply to the entire state of North Dakota and are under the legislature and the Department of Transportation. There's only one state law governing drone operations, the HB 1328 // 2015.
This law prohibits the use of drones for private surveillance of private persons and property without the owners' consent. Doing so is a trespass and a breach of privacy. Whether flying drones for recreational or commercial use, you shouldn't fly over people, vehicles, and trains. The law restricts flying drones over national parks within the state of North Dakota. Additionally, it also restricts drone operators from loading these unmanned aircraft with lethal weapons. There are exceptions to this law for the following instances.
People may wish to take videos and photos of the State Capitol using drones. The state government uses the Capitol for its vast functions and drone operations within the area cause interference and pose threats to public safety. According to the FAA, drone operations aren't allowed within 5 miles of any airport. The Capitol Complex is within 5 miles from Bismarck Municipal. It is therefore prohibited to fly a drone inside the Capitol Complex.
However, drone operators wishing to fly within the State Capitol may seek permission from the Facility Management by filling a Capitol Use Request Form in advance. This form includes details of the drone owner's contacts, the details of the drone, the date, time, and the length of the operation. The form must be submitted 15 days earlier than the date of the flight. The Facility Management will then provide a written response to the applicant.
There are no regulations against flying drones indoors in North Dakota. The FAA only governs drone operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). The owners of a building determine if drones should fly within their premises or not. However, according to the Pilot Institute, it's not safe to fly drones indoors. As a drone owner, it's necessary to carry out research to avoid flying in spaces restricted by the government.