Flying Your Drone Safely During Hurricane?Ida?
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is closely monitoring Hurricane?Ida?as it continues to move toward the U.S., possibly affecting weather conditions on the?Gulf Coast?this weekend. The following guidance applies to drone pilots in the affected areas.?
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Before you fly, here are some basic tips: ??
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· Check?NOTAMs?and?TFRs.?
· Never interfere with emergency response activities, including aircraft operations.?
· Maintain increased awareness for low-altitude?storm response flight activity?if you are flying and navigating in the?affected?area.?
Drone pilots must also be aware of the following:?
· Avoid flying in the area unless conducting an approved active disaster response or recovery mission.??
· The FAA might issue an Airspace Coordination Area (ACA) or Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in the affected area(s). Be sure to check for active ACAs or TFRs if you plan to fly.?
· Remember that you cannot fly inside a TFR without FAA approval.?
Emergency operations and response:?
· If a TFR?is issued, you may be able to get expedited approval to operate in the TFR through the FAA’s Special Governmental Interest (SGI) process as outlined in FAA Order JO 7200.23A.?
· To provide emergency relief with expedited approval through the SGI process, submit an?Emergency Operation Request Form?(MS?Word)?with your existing Remote Pilot Certificate or existing Certification of Authorization (COA) — and send to the FAA's System Operations Support Center (SOSC) at?9-ator-hq-sosc@faa.gov.?
· Do not fly your drone in or around emergency response efforts, unless you have?special authorization to do so. There are low-flying aircraft as part of the storm response — mostly in low-visibility areas. If you are flying, emergency response operations cannot.?If you?are not certificated?as a remote pilot or do not already hold a COA, you cannot fly.??
· Drone operators who interfere with emergency-response operations can face penalties that may exceed $20,000. Flying a drone without authorization in or near the disaster area may violate federal, state, or local laws and ordinances, even if a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is not in place. Allow first responders to save lives and property without interference.? ??
· For additional hurricane preparedness visit: ?https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/flight_info/hurricane_season/.? ??
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Additional resources:?
· Hurricane Awareness Digital Toolkit?(PDF)?
· Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs):?https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html?
· Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs):?https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch/?
· Flight Service Weather Briefs:?https://www.1800wxbrief.com/?
· How to Fly Your Drone During an Emergency?(Webinar)??
