Tampa, a metropolis on the Gulf Coast, is thought for its Spanish and Cuban-influenced Ybor Metropolis with nightlife and eating, its wealthy tradition, and its enterprise hub.
The town additionally has museums, zoos, seashores, and sports activities galore. You’re wanting to expertise all the pieces Tampa has to supply along with your drone.
Are you able to fly a drone in Tampa?
You possibly can fly a drone in Tampa, though not over or on the grounds of the College of Tampa. One of the best locations to make use of a drone on this metropolis embrace Sulphur Springs Tower, Dunedin Causeway, and McKay Bay.
This information will lay out all the foundations for working a drone in Tampa, together with suggestions on the place to fly, a listing of locations which might be off-limits, and a recap of the state’s pertinent drone legal guidelines.
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Are you able to fly a drone in Tampa?
The FAA establishes the drone utilization guidelines in Florida, which enable drones all through the state, together with Tampa.
Between federal, state, and native legal guidelines, let’s check out the locations you can not legally take a drone right here.
The College of Tampa
Many school campuses prohibit drone utilization on or round campus grounds to take care of the peace and privateness of scholars and employees.
The College of Tampa follows the identical coverage[1].
Since 2015, the faculty has banned drones on campus except the general public or college group members have permission and a contract allowing drone use.
That is in accordance with Part 16-36 of the Metropolis of Tampa Metropolis Ordinance, which states that:
“No individual shall take off, launch, ascend, or descend any plane, glider, balloon, mannequin airplane, or parachute in or upon any division managed land with out contractual authority or an authorised facility rental software from the division.”
Airports
As is the case all through the US, you can not use your drone inside 5 nautical miles of any airports all through Tampa.
Tampa Worldwide Airport is the massive one, however keep abreast of those airports when planning your drone adventures in Tampa:
- St. Pete–Clearwater Worldwide Airport
- Tampa Government Airport
- Peter O. Knight Airport
Army bases
Simply as you may’t fly a drone inside 5 nautical miles of an airport, the identical rule applies to army bases in and round Tampa.
MacDill Air Pressure Base is the principle army base on this coastal metropolis.
State parks
Florida Administrative Code 40C-9.320 states that “all-terrain, off-road, or different motorized automobiles” should have a Particular Use Authorization earlier than working on Florida District Lands, together with state parks.
Ensure you maintain your distance from the next state parks:
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St. Petersburg
- Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin
- Ybor Metropolis Museum State Park in Tampa
- Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin
- Egmont Key State Park in St. Petersburg
The 6 finest locations to fly a drone in Tampa
Now that we’ve mentioned the elements of Tampa you need to keep away from when working your drone, let’s delve into the locations the place you’re allowed to go, as there are many them!
1. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
In bustling downtown Tampa, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is an eight-acre park that’s a detailed stroll on foot to the Rivergate Tower, Glazer Kids’s Museum, Tampa Museum of Artwork, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and Tampa Riverwalk.
Though drones are prohibited in these locales, you may discover the waterfront park to your coronary heart’s content material.
Its urban-inspired design makes it in contrast to most parks you’ll see, because it options LED illumination all through, reclaimed irrigation water, the Nice Garden, and pavilions.
For those who use your drone close to the Mist or Louver fountains, consider they’re interactive and thus unpredictable.
2. Sulphur Springs Tower
The Sulphur Springs Tower is a water tower on 455-479 Chicken Road in Tampa.
Though a water tower doesn’t sound like essentially the most thrilling place to go to when you’ve got a restricted time in Tampa, this isn’t your common water tower.
The tower has a castle-like design, for starters. Sulphur Springs Tower can also be steeped in historical past, because it was constructed in 1927. On the time, its design was supposed as an amusement park centerpiece.
Visiting the tower means stepping via the general public park that surrounds it. The tower is 214 toes, so your drone can legally fly to the highest. Nevertheless, don’t land your UAV on the tower!
3. Space 52 AMA Subject
The Bay Metropolis Flyers handle the AMA discipline at Space 52 in Tampa Bay. For those who’re occupied with flying your drone right here, you’ll need to be a part of the membership.
New members should show proficient in working drones. For these nonetheless new to the passion, the BCF will situation a No Solo Card, which implies the drone pilot should have somebody extra skilled accompanying them.
The one-time initiation charge to affix the membership prices $125, then it’s a $75 cost yearly to take care of membership. You could even be a member of the Academy of Mannequin Aeronautics to be eligible to affix the BCF.
4. Dunedin Causeway
A tranquil a part of Florida in close by Dunedin, the Dunedin Causeway is a far much less crowded space than a lot of the metropolis’s beauteous seashores.
Devoted paddlers will enterprise out right here, however in any other case, it is best to have a lot of the space to your self.
You possibly can take some actually breathtaking pictures right here, particularly at dawn or sundown because the sky comes alive in pastel, electrical hues!
5. Fort De Soto Park
A bit south of St. Petersburg is Fort De Soto Park. Though not in Tampa outright, it’s nonetheless price visiting, because it’s a gargantuan 1,136 acres.
In style for kayaking, beachcombing, and strolling, Fort De Soto Park contains 5 interconnected keys.
As you enterprise from one key to a different, you may spot native crops, hardwoods, palm hammocks, wetlands, mangroves, and seaside crops.
Over 300 hen species name the world dwelling, and loggerhead sea turtles nest right here yearly.
Give the wildlife and plant species a large berth and keep away from crowds and try to be good to go when flying right here!
6. McKay Bay
Tampa Bay’s northeastern nook is called McKay Bay. This physique of water options the McKay Bay Greenway that results in the Tampa Bypass Canal. The McKay Bay Nature Park can also be within the space, however we suggest sticking nearer to the bay.
Like when visiting the Dunedin Causeway, you may seize some actually magnificent footage at McKay Bay!
Florida drone legal guidelines in your journey to Tampa
To wrap up, the next drone legal guidelines in Florida are pertinent to remember as you launch your drone in Tampa.
Don’t function on managed lands
The Division of Agriculture and Client Surfaces prohibits drone use on managed lands all through the state with out permission.
Respect the privateness of others
In accordance with SB 766, drone pilots can’t use their UAVs to {photograph} properties, constructing homeowners, tenants, or privately-owned occupants in the event that they’re in an surroundings the place they will moderately anticipate a level of privateness.
The one exception is in the event you communicate to the individual first and request their permission.
Comply with FAA legal guidelines
Along with Florida’s state and native legal guidelines, you’re additionally required to observe these FAA tips whenever you function your drone.
- Don’t fly your drone larger than 400 toes from the bottom.
- Register your drone if it weighs greater than 0.55 kilos.
- Carry a sound drone license. Business pilots should have a present Distant Pilot Certificates (which expires each two years), and leisure pilots want a TRUST certificates.
- Solely function your drone between dawn and sundown except you’ve got prior permission and requisite lighting in your drone.
- Use your drone in uncontrolled airspace. For those who should enter managed airspace, request authorization.
- Don’t function your drone inside 5 nautical miles of army bases and airports.
- Give manned plane the proper of means.
- Don’t function a drone that weighs greater than 55 kilos, together with the drone’s unique weight or the addition of payload.
- Solely fly a drone inside your visible line of sight, or how far you may naturally see it. For those who can’t do this, you need to have a visible observer with you.
- Don’t fly your drone in inclement climate, together with robust winds, fog, or heavy rains.
- Don’t fly your drone over shifting automobiles.
- You can not fly your drone over crowds except you’ve got permission or your drone weighs underneath 0.55 kilos.
FAA Half 107 Distant Pilot Take a look at Prep
Peltier has fairly the expertise, making him certified to show about pictures and drones in separate programs. He was part of the U.S. Air Pressure as an F-15E flight teacher for a decade.
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Tampa is an distinctive place to go to, and it’s particularly nice to carry a drone.
The seashores, bays, and metropolis coastlines right here entice big crowds, together with drone pilots. When working, bear in mind to observe native, statewide, and federal legal guidelines.
References:
1. College of Tampa drone coverage (hyperlink)
