Signed FAA Reauthorization Act Establishes New Conditions for Drone Use

The recently signed FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 by President Trump establishes new conditions for recreational use of drones and immediately repeals the Special Rule for Model Aircraft.

The agency is evaluating the impacts of this change in the law and how implementation will proceed. The FAA says the Reauthorization Act cannot be fully implemented immediately, so users should continue to follow all current policies and guidance with respect to recreational use of drones:

Fly for hobby or recreation only

Fly within visual line-of-sight

Follow community-based safety guidelines and fly within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization

Fly a drone under 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization

Never fly near other aircraft

Never fly near emergency response efforts

Updated direction and guidance will be provided as the FAA implements this new legislation.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.