TO FLY A DRONE AS A HOBBYIST IN THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA

author by John Pike on Jan. 07, 2025

Environmental Law Environmental Law Other 

Summary: You are required by the FAA to take The Recreational UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) Safety Test. You are also required to follow the FAA’s recreational model aircraft rules. The FAA prohibits shooting at any aircraft, including drones.

State Drone Laws in Pennsylvania;

Title 18 Sec. 3505 // 2018

Makes it unlawful to operate a drone to

1. intentionally or knowingly conduct surveillance of another person in a private place,

2. operate in a manner that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury, or

3. to deliver, provide, transmit or furnish contraband.

Subsection (a)(1) or (2)- A crime punishable by a fine not exceeding $300

Subsection (a)(3)- Felony of the second degree.

Restrictions at State Parks

Title 18 Sec. 3505 // 2018

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources drones can only be flown at “designated flying sites” within the following state parks: Beltzville State Park, Benjamin Rush State Park, Hillman State Park, Lackawanna State Park, Prompton State Park, and Tuscarora State Park.

Drone use is prohibited at all other state parks.

Personal Property

Under Pennsylvania UAS law, it is illegal to fly a drone over another person’s space that they consider private.

Your neighbor has legal grounds to sue if your drone flies below 400 feet over their property more than once without their permission.

Cultural Preserves

Drone laws in PA prohibit the use of unmanned aerial systems within cultural preserves and natural preserves.

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