San Francisco is a drone photographer’s dream. It’s received iconic bridges, rolling fog, dramatic coastlines and concrete landscapes. But it surely’s additionally probably the most regulated airspaces within the nation, with layers of federal, state and native guidelines that may confuse even skilled pilots. So how does one go about flying drones in San Francisco?
I sat down with prolific aerial photographer Eric Thurber (you’ll find him on Instagram @thurber_shots). He spent years mastering the artwork of flying legally in San Francisco whereas constructing a 120,000-follower Instagram presence and touchdown industrial purchasers just like the Golden State Warriors, Sky Parts and Waymo. If anybody is aware of tips on how to navigate SF’s drone laws, it’s Thurber. And for what it’s price, Thurber admits {that a} good chunk of his days are spent filling out waiver requests and coping with varied jurisdictions.
In our full interview, we speak about all kinds of issues: rising your profession in drones, maximizing your Instagram presence, gear and navigating the legal guidelines. Learn it right here. However as a result of I’ve so many readers in San Francisco, I wished to interrupt out some San Francisco-specific drone flying ideas.
Right here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what it’s essential to know and tips on how to keep on the best aspect of the regulation.
One of the best authorized flying spots in San Francisco
Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island
These two islands simply off of San Francisco, Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island, rank amongst Thurber’s prime suggestions for drone pilots.
There’s a new park on Treasure Island price trying out, and the highest of the island the place folks park presents wonderful vantage factors.
And in reality, Treasure Island has one among actually only a handful of FRIAs (that’s brief for FAA-Acknowledged Identification Areas). That’s SF Drone Faculty situated on thirteenth St and affiliated with the Academy of Mannequin Aeronautics.
Nonetheless, there’s an vital caveat: “After all, you could have a no-fly zone on the prime — you’ve received to watch out of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, however now not does, so folks can go zipping over that even after they shouldn’t.”
Sausalito
Need beautiful, authorized pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge? Head throughout the bay to Sausalito.
“Sausalito is improbable if you would like pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which are good and authorized,” Thurber mentioned. “You’ll be able to take off proper from the boardwalk. So long as you’re clear with folks strolling by, they’re often actually good about it. Go up, hold it beneath 400 toes — your authorized restrict — and also you get these pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which are fantastic.”
Vital be aware: Sausalito has a metropolis ordinance prohibiting drone flights after darkish. That is precisely the sort of native regulation that may journey up even FAA-certified pilots.
He outlines much more spots in his video information to the highest areas to movie with a drone in San Francisco.
Understanding San Francisco’s regulatory maze
Flying drones in San Francisco isn’t nearly following FAA guidelines. You’re coping with a number of layers of jurisdiction, and Thurber has discovered to navigate all of them by way of years of expertise (and loads of conversations with officers). Right here’s what it is best to do earlier than flying drones in San Francisco:
Verify for TFRs (Short-term Flight Restrictions)
“Most accountable pilots are going to open up their airspace app like Airaware and search for a TFR,” Thurber says. “If there’s a TFR, flat out, except you could have a waiver, don’t do it.”
TFRs are non-negotiable. Even Thurber, who has constructed relationships with the Division of Homeland Safety and will get his drones whitelisted for main occasions, received’t fly if there’s a TFR in place. “If there’s a TFR, even with DHS approval, it doesn’t matter — you don’t do it.”
The SF Parks complication
Right here’s the place issues get difficult: “SF Parks aren’t essentially labeled on the apps, so you need to watch out,” Thurber mentioned.
San Francisco Parks and Recreation has jurisdiction over metropolis parks, and also you want permits to fly from park property. However Thurber shared a captivating nuance that many pilots don’t learn about. Take into account a spot you’d need to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of Nice Arts.
“That’s metropolis property, so you’ll be able to’t fly within the park with out permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he mentioned.
However right here’s the nuance: when you take off throughout the road, down the block, you’ll be able to fly over. You’re now within the jurisdiction of the FAA and never the parks.
The important thing distinction? Parks dictate the place you are taking off and land from, however the FAA controls the airspace above.
“Parks legally dictate the place you are taking off and land from. They will say you can not do this, and legally, you can not,” Thurber mentioned. “However when you fly from outdoors and use logic — I’m not blatant about it— that’s totally different. There are nuances.”
Constructing relationships with native authorities
One in every of Thurber’s secrets and techniques to success has been constructing relationships with the assorted companies that regulate drone flight in San Francisco.
“It’s taken time to construct these relationships, and so they’re needed for industrial work,” Thurber mentioned.
His contacts embrace the FAA’s native Flight Requirements District Workplace (FSDO), the Division of Homeland Safety, SF Parks and Recreation and even native police (although he notes they “actually don’t have something to do with drones”).
Earlier than flying any main occasion, Thurber reaches out to his DHS contact, who whitelists his drone. However he emphasizes: if there’s a TFR, even these relationships don’t override it.
“The laws exist for a motive, and dealing inside them truly opens extra doorways than it closes,” he mentioned.
Business vs. leisure drone flying in SF
After all, there’s a big distinction between flying for enjoyable and flying for industrial functions in San Francisco.
“In case you are doing industrial work, you completely must be authorized,” Thurber mentioned. “Working with the Metropolis of San Francisco is without doubt one of the hardest issues I’ve ever needed to do. However for hobbyist functions, it’s comparatively simple to fly in San Francisco. It’s a lot, a lot tougher for industrial functions.”
The truth is, regardless of years of expertise and $2 million in drone insurance coverage by way of Skywatch AI, Thurber has but to personally get a allow permitted from the Metropolis of San Francisco for his personal initiatives.
“Their necessities are completely stringent and unrealistic,” he says, noting that the town calls for protection ensures that even his insurance coverage firm received’t underwrite, corresponding to protection for each individual the drone would possibly fly over.
Thurber’s strategy to drone laws was clear: comply with the principles, educate your self and work with authorities relatively than in opposition to them.
“The FAA is within the enterprise of teaching you, not busting you,” he mentioned. “Should you work with them, every part works out.”
He’s discovered this lesson firsthand. Early in his drone journey, he flew illegally over the Bay Bridge — a shot that went viral however in the end taken down from the Web the FAA’s request. “Subsequently, every part has shifted — I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I received’t do this kind of factor.”
Sources and ideas for flying drones in San Francisco
Important apps and instruments:
Eric Thurber’s YouTube Channel: Eric Thurber has created a number of movies particularly addressing these questions on flying in San Francisco. Take a look at his YouTube channel (Thurber_shots) for location-specific guides and regulation tutorials in addition to his Instagram.
Key takeaways:
- All the time examine for TFRs earlier than flying — they’re non-negotiable.
- Pay attention to park boundaries and take off from outdoors park property when needed.
- Perceive that native ordinances (like Sausalito’s no-night-flying rule) add one other layer to FAA laws.
- Keep beneath 400 toes when flying recreationally.
- Be clear with folks round you when taking off from public areas.
- Stay away from geofenced areas even when your drone now not enforces them.
- Business work requires considerably extra permits and insurance coverage.
- When doubtful, work with authorities relatively than in opposition to them.
Need much more? Catch a clip of our dialog over at my very own YouTube channel or instantly beneath:
And don’t cease with me! Observe Eric too! For extra detailed details about particular areas and strategies, comply with Eric Thurber on Instagram @thurber_shots or try his tutorials on YouTube.
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