Drones are a hot gift item again this Christmas but many are unaware of the regulations and restrictions that come with owning one.
Manager Ike Kelly, of the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport, says before anyone gives or receives a drone, they should know what they’re getting into.
“You’re actually piloting an aircraft in the federal airspace,” Kelly said. “Many think it’s just a toy but there are actually quite extensive capabilities built into these.”
There are rules on where you can fly drones. For instance, they can’t be flown within 5 miles of an airport, in a park or near a hospital. The rules are different if you have a commercial drone operators license.
A representative from the Federal Aviation Administration will be at the Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to host a free seminar and answer any questions.
Any drone over a half-pound must be registered with the FAA.
To register for Saturday’s event, head to ButlerCountyAirport.org or call 724-586-6665.
According to the FAA, registration of unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, now outnumbers manned aircraft registration in the United States.
