Keweenaw Report Your Source for Local News and Sports
A lot of people found drones under the Christmas tree, but what they likely didn’t get was a list of rules to avoid trouble with their new toy.
Drones are small remote controlled aircraft that can carry cameras or other small loads and capable of hovering and flying great distances, which is why there are a bunch of regulations regarding their use.
One important rule that new drone users should know, according to Carl Turek, owner of Michigan Drone Pros in Grand Rapids, is if the drone is over a half pound in weight, it has to be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration.
The penalty for operating the device without a registration is $27,000.
Other rules include: don’t fly within 5 miles of an airport; don’t fly over a neighbor’s property; don’t fly over people’s heads at a sporting event; keep your drone within line of sight and no higher than 400 feet; and don’t operate a drone while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
