San Francisco is a drone photographer’s dream. It’s obtained iconic bridges, rolling fog, dramatic coastlines and concrete landscapes. But it surely’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 industrial shoppers just like the Golden State Warriors, Sky Parts and Waymo. If anybody is aware of how you can 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 types 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 ideas.
Right here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what you want to know and how you can keep on the proper aspect of the regulation.
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 testing, and the highest of the island the place folks park presents wonderful vantage factors.
And in reality, Treasure Island has one in all actually only a handful of FRIAs (that’s quick for FAA-Acknowledged Identification Areas). That’s SF Drone Faculty positioned on thirteenth St and affiliated with the Academy of Mannequin Aeronautics.
Nonetheless, there’s an vital caveat: “After all, you’ve a no-fly zone on the prime — you’ve obtained to watch out of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, however not does, so folks can go zipping over that even after they shouldn’t.”
Sausalito
Need beautiful, authorized photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge? Head throughout the bay to Sausalito.
“Sausalito is improbable if you need photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge which can be good and authorized,” Thurber mentioned. “You possibly can take off proper from the boardwalk. So long as you’re clear with folks strolling by, they’re often actually good about it. Go up, preserve it under 400 ft — your authorized restrict — and also you get these photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge which can be fantastic.”
Necessary observe: Sausalito has a metropolis ordinance prohibiting drone flights after darkish. That is precisely the sort 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 realized to navigate all of them via years of expertise (and loads of conversations with officers). Right here’s what it is best to do earlier than flying drones in San Francisco:
Examine for TFRs (Short-term 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’ve 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 it’s important to watch out,” Thurber mentioned.
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. Contemplate a spot you’d wish to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of Fantastic Arts.
“That’s metropolis property, so you may’t fly within the park with out permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he mentioned.
However right here’s the nuance: should you 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 are taking off and land from, however the FAA controls the airspace above.
“Parks legally dictate the place you are taking off and land from. They will say you can’t do this, and legally, you can’t,” Thurber mentioned. “However should you fly from outdoors and use common sense — I’m not blatant about it— that’s totally different. There are nuances.”
Constructing relationships with native authorities
One in every of Thurber’s secrets and techniques to success has been constructing relationships with the varied companies that regulate drone flight in San Francisco.
“It’s taken time to construct these relationships, they usually’re obligatory for industrial work,” Thurber mentioned.
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 motive, and dealing inside them really opens extra doorways than it closes,” he mentioned.
Business vs. leisure drone flying in SF
After all, there’s a major distinction between flying for enjoyable and flying for industrial functions in San Francisco.
“In case you are doing industrial work, you completely must be authorized,” Thurber mentioned. “Working with the Metropolis of San Francisco is likely 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 tougher for industrial functions.”
Actually, regardless of years of expertise and $2 million in drone insurance coverage via Skywatch AI, Thurber has but to personally get a allow accredited from the Metropolis of San Francisco for his personal tasks.
“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, resembling protection for each particular person the drone may fly over.
Thurber’s method to drone rules was clear: comply with the principles, educate your self and work with authorities relatively than towards them.
“The FAA is within the enterprise of training you, not busting you,” he mentioned. “If you happen to 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 finally 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 gained’t do this sort of factor.”
Sources and ideas 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 examine 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 under 400 ft when flying recreationally.
- Be clear with folks round you when taking off from public areas.
- Avoid geofenced areas even when your drone not enforces them.
- Business work requires considerably extra permits and insurance coverage.
- When unsure, work with authorities relatively than towards them.
Need much more? Catch a clip of our dialog over at my very own YouTube channel or instantly under:
And don’t cease with me! Observe 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.
Associated
Uncover extra from The Drone Woman
Subscribe to get the newest posts despatched to your e mail.