Gopher Drones Blog

5 Drone Flying Mistakes to Avoid as a New Pilot

Publish Date: 03/11/2024

By Jimmy

So you got your first drone!? Congratulations and welcome to the skies!

Flying can be a blast, but there are some important rules to follow to keep you and others safe (and avoid getting in trouble with the law). Here are the top mistakes new drone pilots make:

Flying Without the Right License: Even if you're flying for fun, you need to complete the TRUST safey certification from the FAA! If you're using your drone for anything other than pure recreation (like taking photos for a real estate listing or filming for your local sports team), you need a special Part 107 commercial drone license from the FAA. Don't risk the hefty fines - get certified first.

But... my drone is under 250g, so I don't have to follow FAA rules... right?: Wrong! This is the most often misunderstood part of the FAA guidelines; a sub 250g drone does not exempt you from needing a recreational cert, part 107 license or any of the other regulations, including flights over people.

Not Registering Your Drone: If your drone weighs over 0.55 lbs (250g), you need to register it with the FAA at their DroneZone website. It only costs $5 and is valid for 3 years. Make sure to put your registration number on your drone!

Flying Over People or Moving Vehicles: Drones and crowds don't mix. Respect others' safety and privacy by not flying directly over people. The same goes for flying over moving cars. Find an open area away from people to fly instead.

Not Keeping Your Drone in Sight: Keep your drone within your visual line-of-sight at ALL times. That means you need to be able to see it directly with your own eyes, not through binoculars or on your phone screen. If you can't see it, you're taking risks.

Flying in Restricted Areas: Some places are off-limits to drones, period. These include National Parks, Military Bases, Sports Stadiums, Washington DC, and "No Drone Zone" areas. Do your research before flying somewhere new to avoid accidentally breaking the law.

When in doubt, don't fly!

Follow these simple guidelines and you'll be a responsible, law-abiding drone pilot. Remember, safety always comes first. Now get out there and enjoy your new bird's-eye view of the world!

To learn more, check out the FAA's Drone Resources and take the free, online TRUST safety course. Happy flying!