Drones in Wilderness

I have read many Drone threads here and I'm still a bit confused..

It is quite obvious that you need a FAA license to fly these things and they are not allowed in Designated Wilderness Areas.

I continually see vids and still shots on social media, etc. of obvious violations. WTF? I guess it's kinda like using a power tool for drilling in wilderness. Nobody around to witness it.

What are the consequences if you get caught by the FEDS?

“It is quite obvious that you need a FAA license to fly these things and they are not allowed in Designated Wilderness Areas”

No & No. You don’t need a license to fly recreationally and you can get a permit to fly in Designated Wilderness Areas. 

Scott is correct on fines. 

Brendan N wrote: “ You don’t need a license to fly recreationally and you can get a permit to fly in Designated Wilderness Areas.

Incorrect about the latter. From fs.usda.gov/managing-land/f…:

There is one caveat, operating outside of wilderness one can fly a drone over wilderness. By operating this also include taking off and landing outside of wilderness.

For the OP. Many people are taking drones into wilderness and flying them. Some are ignorant of the law others do not care.

Allen Sanderson wrote: Many people are taking drones into wilderness and flying them. Some are ignorant of the law others do not care.

Not a care...???  $5000 fine and jail time?

i saw someome flying a drone at mt mitchell in NC. the ranger just came up to them and said stop it.

I was just in Nepal in Nov.  There was a French guy flying a drone around a lookout called Pun Hill which is a great spot to see the Annapurna range.   There were guides and locals running around trying to figure out who was flying their drone.  As soon as it hit the ground the guides grabbed it and told the French guy that he could pick it up in Kathmandu at the Tourist Bureau.  Kathmandu was about an 8hr bus ride.  

Conor Pesci wrote: I was just in Nepal in Nov.  There was a French guy flying a drone around a lookout called Pun Hill which is a great spot to see the Annapurna range.   There were guides and locals running around trying to figure out who was flying their drone.  As soon as it hit the ground the guides grabbed it and told the French guy that he could pick it up in Kathmandu at the Tourist Bureau.  Kathmandu was about an 8hr bus ride.  

Nice. They get beautiful shots but they're so damn loud and disruptive.

Can anyone recommend a lightweight shotgun?

Kevin X wrote:

Nice. They get beautiful shots but they're so damn loud and disruptive.

Hey, I love those videos and photos but I can't stand seeing/hearing them in the wild.  It has happened climbing, hiking, etc.  No more drones, that's the new movement!  

Allen Sanderson wrote:

Incorrect about the latter. From fs.usda.gov/managing-land/f…:

UAS are considered to be both “motorized equipment” and “mechanical transport” as such they cannot take off from, land in, or be operated from congressionally designated Wilderness Areas.

There is one caveat, operating outside of wilderness one can fly a drone over wilderness. By operating this also include taking off and landing outside of wilderness.

For the OP. Many people are taking drones into wilderness and flying them. Some are ignorant of the law others do not care.

Allen, while you could take off outside and fly in, I believe you would run afoul of the altitude restrictions. (You're not supposed to fly under 2,000ft over designated wilderness areas, and recreational drone operators are restricted to 400ft and below in class G airspace (most wilderness areas). FWIW: I'm not a pilot, but I looked into this when I was hoping to photograph a few backcountry cliffs in wilderness areas. 

See part 7-4-6 in the FAA's Aeronautical Information Manual for the 2,000ft restriction, and the FAA recreational drone info here for the 400ft restriction.

At least around here (White Mountains NH) the USFS has made a nice map of areas restricted for drone use: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd612186.pdf  and has started posting signs along roads and at trailheads indicating the rules. That said, several local photographers appear to have figured out how to get permits as they indicate photos were taken legally. For instance.