San Francisco is a drone photographer’s dream. It’s bought iconic bridges, rolling fog, dramatic coastlines and concrete landscapes. However it’s additionally one of the crucial 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 will discover 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 business shoppers just like the Golden State Warriors, Sky Parts and Waymo. If anybody is aware of 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, tools and navigating the legal guidelines. Learn it right here. However as a result of I’ve so many readers in San Francisco, I needed to interrupt out some San Francisco-specific drone flying suggestions.
Right here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what it’s good to know and keep on the precise facet 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 high suggestions for drone pilots.
There’s a new park on Treasure Island price trying out, and the highest of the island the place individuals park gives glorious vantage factors.
And in reality, Treasure Island has considered one of actually only a handful of FRIAs (that’s quick for FAA-Acknowledged Identification Areas). That’s SF Drone College positioned on thirteenth St and affiliated with the Academy of Mannequin Aeronautics.
Nonetheless, there’s an essential caveat: “After all, you have got a no-fly zone on the high — you’ve bought to watch out of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, however now not does, so individuals 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 implausible if you’d like pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which can be good and authorized,” Thurber stated. “You may take off proper from the boardwalk. So long as you’re clear with individuals strolling by, they’re often actually good about it. Go up, preserve it beneath 400 toes — your authorized restrict — and also you get these pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which can be great.”
Vital observe: Sausalito has a metropolis ordinance prohibiting drone flights after darkish. That is precisely the type of native regulation that may journey up even FAA-certified pilots.
He outlines much more spots in his video information to the highest places 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 realized to navigate all of them via years of expertise (and loads of conversations with officers). Right here’s what it’s best to do earlier than flying drones in San Francisco:
Examine for TFRs (Non permanent 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, until you have got 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 must watch out,” Thurber stated.
San Francisco Parks and Recreation has jurisdiction over metropolis parks, and also you want permits to fly from park property. However Thurber shared an enchanting nuance that many pilots don’t find out about. Take into account a spot you’d need to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of Advantageous Arts.
“That’s metropolis property, so you may’t fly within the park with out permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he stated.
However right here’s the nuance: for those who take off throughout the road, down the block, you may fly over. You’re now within the jurisdiction of the FAA and never the parks.
The important thing distinction? Parks dictate the place you’re taking off and land from, however the FAA controls the airspace above.
“Parks legally dictate the place you’re taking off and land from. They will say you can’t try this, and legally, you can’t,” Thurber stated. “However for those who fly from exterior and use logic — I’m not blatant about it— that’s totally different. There are nuances.”
Constructing relationships with native authorities
One among 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, they usually’re obligatory for business work,” Thurber stated.
His contacts embody 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 cause, and dealing inside them truly opens extra doorways than it closes,” he stated.
Industrial vs. leisure drone flying in SF
After all, there’s a major distinction between flying for enjoyable and flying for business functions in San Francisco.
“If you’re doing business work, you completely need to be authorized,” Thurber stated. “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 straightforward to fly in San Francisco. It’s a lot, a lot more durable for business functions.”
In truth, regardless of years of expertise and $2 million in drone insurance coverage via 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 town calls for protection ensures that even his insurance coverage firm received’t underwrite, equivalent to protection for each particular person 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 fairly than towards them.
“The FAA is within the enterprise of training you, not busting you,” he stated. “Should you work with them, every little thing works out.”
He’s realized 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 little thing has shifted — I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I received’t try this sort of factor.”
Sources and suggestions 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. Try his YouTube channel (Thurber_shots) for location-specific guides and regulation tutorials in addition to his Instagram.
Key takeaways:
- All the time verify for TFRs earlier than flying — they’re non-negotiable.
- Pay attention to park boundaries and take off from exterior park property when obligatory.
- 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 individuals round you when taking off from public areas.
- Avoid geofenced areas even when your drone now not enforces them.
- Industrial work requires considerably extra permits and insurance coverage.
- When doubtful, work with authorities fairly than towards them.
Need much more? Catch a clip of our dialog over at my very own YouTube channel or straight beneath:
And don’t cease with me! Observe Eric too! For extra detailed details about particular places and methods, comply with Eric Thurber on Instagram @thurber_shots or take a look at his tutorials on YouTube.
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