As made obvious by many news organizations and social media posts, drones have been used often post-Helene in Western North Carolina to survey damage caused by the storm.
While the use of drones as tools in situations like these can prove helpful, it is still a contentious issue for many. Earlier this year, a Florida man faced charges for shooting at a Walmart delivery drone – and the case is far from a one-off event.
And now, mystery drones have been spotted over New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York over the last month.
With this in mind, here’s what to know about drone law in N.C., from zones of operation to shooting down a drone and more.
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Is it legal to shoot a drone in NC?
As of Oct. 1, 791,597 drones are registered in the U.S. according to the Federal Aviation Administration, including 396,746 commercial drones and 387,746 recreational drones.
Regardless of the drone’s classification, however, the FAA considers them aircrafts — meaning that you could be charged with shooting at an aircraft, a federal crime, if you take a shot at one.
If you believe a drone is violating the law, your best bet is to contact law enforcement.
It is a federal crime to shoot down a drone.
Are drones legal in NC?
Some federal drone laws apply everywhere. Commercial drone pilots or government employees (such as first responders) must get a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA and follow the requirements of the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule (Part 107).
Recreational drone pilots must take the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST), follow FAA recreational model aircraft rules, and register them if the drones weigh more than 0.55 pound, along with line-of-sight restrictions and other rules.
There are also plenty of laws listed on drone use through the NC Department of Transportation. For example:
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It is illegal to use an unmanned aircraft system to take or distribute images of a person or their home without their consent.
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Operators may not use a UAS to disrupt wildlife resources or the lawful taking of wildlife. It is also against the law to use a UAS in the process of taking wildlife resources.
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It is illegal to fly a UAS over any prison, state or federal.
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Restrictions on flying a UAS near a forest fire.
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It is illegal to launch or recover a UAS from either private or state property without the consent of the property’s owner.
To learn more, visit the NCDOT website.
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Who uses drones in NC?
Recreational, commercial and government drone uses are legal in N.C. Requirements for licensure and registration vary. All drones, however, must possess a Drone Remote ID. For commercial and government drone pilots, a license is required. For hobbyist drone pilots, requirements vary based on operation.
Additionally, some drone delivery services operate in NC. This includes Flytrex, which delivers goods – particularly food such as takeout – directly to backyards in Holly Springs and Raeford, NC, and collaborates with grocery stores and other organizations to complete deliveries in select areas across the state.
C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network Florida, contributed.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Is it legal to shoot a drone in NC? Mystery drones spark law queries
