I just got a refurbished Mini 3 drone at a good discount. It’ll be delivered in about a week. I’m in the U.S., and I need to learn the rules before flying it. I have a trip planned to Troy, NY, where I’ll be on a farm and want to take some aerial shots with the drone.
Some questions: Do I need to register my drone online? What if I fly it in a restricted area—what happens then? Are there any apps to help me know where I can and can’t fly? And can I fly the drone in a public park if people are around?
Even though it’s under 250g and doesn’t need to be registered, you can still register it with the FAA if you add accessories (like landing gear) that push it over the 250g limit. It’s $5 for 3 years, and you’ll need to label your drone with the ID they give you (you can use a label maker for this). After that, take the free TRUST test, which covers things like what to check before flying, where you can fly, and what to avoid. Just search for ‘FAA drone registration’ or ‘Drone TRUST test’ online, and the links will pop up. I print both of them out and keep them in my drone bag, so I have them if I ever get asked by an official. It sounds like a lot, but it only takes 15 to 20 minutes to do.
The rules on where you can fly vary depending on where you are. For example, in my city, if you’re flying for fun, you can’t take off from or land in a park, but you can launch from a sidewalk near a park and land there. Another nearby city lets you fly and land in parks. You also can’t fly over people or traffic unless you have a permit.
I’d recommend registering your drone and getting certification for recreational flying. It’s quick to do, and honestly, getting the heavier battery for the Mini drones is a good move for longer flights.