San Francisco is a drone photographer’s dream. It’s received 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’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 business shoppers just like the Golden State Warriors, Sky Parts and Waymo. If anybody is aware of methods to navigate SF’s drone rules, 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 discuss 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 suggestions.
Right here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what it’s essential to know and methods to keep on the best facet of the legislation.
The very 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 affords wonderful vantage factors.
And in reality, Treasure Island has one in every 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 may have a no-fly zone on the prime — you’ve received to watch out of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, however not does, so folks can go zipping over that even once they shouldn’t.”
Sausalito
Need gorgeous, authorized pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge? Head throughout the bay to Sausalito.
“Sausalito is unbelievable if you’d like pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which are good and authorized,” Thurber stated. “You possibly can take off proper from the boardwalk. So long as you’re clear with folks strolling by, they’re normally actually good about it. Go up, maintain it beneath 400 ft — your authorized restrict — and also you get these pictures of the Golden Gate Bridge which are great.”
Necessary word: Sausalito has a metropolis ordinance prohibiting drone flights after darkish. That is precisely the form 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 via years of expertise (and loads of conversations with officers). Right here’s what you need to do earlier than flying drones in San Francisco:
Examine for TFRs (Momentary 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 may 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, gained’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 tough: “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 interesting nuance that many pilots don’t find out about. Contemplate a spot you’d need to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of Advantageous Arts.
“That’s metropolis property, so you possibly can’t fly within the park with out permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he stated.
However right here’s the nuance: when you take off throughout the road, down the block, you possibly can 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’ll say you can not try this, and legally, you can not,” Thurber stated. “However when you fly from outdoors and use logic — I’m not blatant about it— that’s completely 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 businesses 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 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 rules 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 should be authorized,” Thurber stated. “Working with the Metropolis of San Francisco is among 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 more durable for business functions.”
The truth is, 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 gained’t underwrite, comparable to protection for each particular person the drone may fly over.
Thurber’s strategy to drone rules was clear: comply with the principles, educate your self and work with authorities slightly than in opposition to them.
“The FAA is within the enterprise of training you, not busting you,” he stated. “Should you work with them, all the pieces 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, all the pieces has shifted — I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I gained’t try this kind 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. 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 test for TFRs earlier than flying — they’re non-negotiable.
- Concentrate on park boundaries and take off from outdoors park property when obligatory.
- Perceive that native ordinances (like Sausalito’s no-night-flying rule) add one other layer to FAA rules.
- Keep beneath 400 ft when flying recreationally.
- Be clear with folks round you when taking off from public areas.
- Steer clear of geofenced areas even when your drone not enforces them.
- Industrial work requires considerably extra permits and insurance coverage.
- When unsure, work with authorities slightly than in opposition to them.
Need much more? Catch a clip of our dialog over at my very own YouTube channel or immediately beneath:
And don’t cease with me! Comply with Eric too! For extra detailed details about particular areas and methods, comply with Eric Thurber on Instagram @thurber_shots or take a look at his tutorials on YouTube.
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