Drone laws/rules: Can a drone operate autonomously (no line-of-sight)

How high above the ground?

Proximity to airports and how high you fly are the only restrictions I'm aware of.

quote:

---

No. Must remain line of sight unless you have a visual observer that can still see it.

---

That's what I've read, but there is a lot of room for interpretation there.

Can I observe it through a window? Does someone have to prove that I couldn't see it at all times given that it's over my property and within view of my house?

Does the "visual observer" have to be human?

quote:

---

Can you on your own property/land, non commercial/industrial, without any issues? Most likely.

---

That's how I'm leaning. But my intended use is to use one or more drones to "swarm" and record a person up close (~10 feet or so) after other fixed cameras detect them. Just wondering if I'd have any legal standing if someone files a complaint.

I will make it as safe as possible, caged rotors, slow moving, not overly-heavy, multiple redundant e-stop systems, etc.

No. You have to have visual line of sight to be legal

quote:

---

Can I observe it through a window?

---

Nope

quote:

---

Does the “visual observer” have to be human?

---

Yes

Proximity to airports, restricted or prohibited areas, MOAs, elevation are all going to come into play.

If something were to happen, even the weather that day would come into play. If it ever went to court, you would have a REALLY tough time

Ignore the laws and rules

I do

Yes.

I fly my drone wherever I want, whenever I want. Never been stopped or questioned.

The 400' height limit is the only rule I follow. And that is because the drone won't go any higher.

I've sent my drone out over a mile away.

quote:

---

I fly my drone wherever I want, whenever I want. Never been stopped or questioned. The 400' height limit is the only rule I follow. And that is because the drone won't go any higher. I've sent my drone out over a mile away.

---

OP, don’t listen to this guy. YES, you CAN do what you are asking. As in, it is POSSIBLE. But you are 100% bringing possible litigation into the equation and what you are asking would absolutely get shot down (pun intended) in court. Fines can get lofty as well.


Disclaimer: I’m FAA part 107 certified. I fly drones for an oil company. And I have my own drone side hustle. I’m not blowing smoke

quote:

---

Part 107 allows you fly your drone wherever you want.

---

Elaborate please

Just for clarification, OP wouldnt be under part 107. He would be a recreational pilot.

But please continue...

quote:

---

Part 107 allows you to fly the drone out of sight for 'jobs'.

---

With a waiver from the FAA, which im 99.9% sure you wouldnt get in this case.

quote:

---

Just say your flying for a job.

It's simple...

---

It is simple, just wouldnt be legal in this case.

There is an exception for recreational pilots in that you have a visual observer, to which I already answered his question. It has to be a human.

There are some other exceptions but they are for emergencies, which this wouldnt fall under


And again, for clarification, OP wouldnt fall under part 107 in this case. So your point is moot anyway.

I am pretty open to people telling the government to go frick themselves and ignoring dumb laws but droning over other peoples property is trashy. Just the perception of invasion of privacy of a drone hovering over your property is enough to make it creepy as frick. Some kid flying their drone Christmas morning in the neighborhood is different then some manchild just flying wherever they want whenever they want.