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 vital 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 (yow 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 Components and Waymo. If anybody is aware of how one 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 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 wished to interrupt out some San Francisco-specific drone flying ideas.
Right here’s what he shared about flying drones in San Francisco, what it’s essential know and how one can keep on the precise aspect 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 brand 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 Faculty situated on thirteenth St and affiliated with the Academy of Mannequin Aeronautics.
Nevertheless, there’s an necessary caveat: “In fact, you will have a no-fly zone on the prime — you’ve received to watch out of that,” Thurber warned. “DJI used to geofence it, however now not does, so individuals can go zipping over that even once they shouldn’t.”
Sausalito
Need gorgeous, authorized photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge? Head throughout the bay to Sausalito.
“Sausalito is implausible if you’d like photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge which might be good and authorized,” Thurber mentioned. “You may take off proper from the boardwalk. So long as you’re clear with individuals strolling by, they’re normally actually good about it. Go up, maintain it under 400 ft — your authorized restrict — and also you get these photographs of the Golden Gate Bridge which might be great.”
Necessary notice: 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 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 by means of 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:
Test 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 will 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 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 learn about. Think about a spot you’d need to fly drones over, like San Francisco’s Palace of High-quality Arts.
“That’s metropolis property, so you’ll be able to’t fly within the park with out permits from SF Parks and Rec,” he mentioned.
However right here’s the nuance: when you take off throughout the road, down the block, you’ll be able to 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 try this, and legally, you can’t,” Thurber mentioned. “However when 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 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, and so they’re essential for industrial work,” Thurber mentioned.
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 rules exist for a purpose, and dealing inside them really opens extra doorways than it closes,” he mentioned.
Industrial vs. leisure drone flying in SF
In fact, there’s a big distinction between flying for enjoyable and flying for industrial functions in San Francisco.
“In case you are doing industrial work, you completely need to be authorized,” Thurber mentioned. “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 industrial functions.”
In actual fact, regardless of years of expertise and $2 million in drone insurance coverage by means of Skywatch AI, Thurber has but to personally get a allow authorised 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 individual the drone would possibly fly over.
Thurber’s strategy to drone rules was clear: comply with the principles, educate your self and work with authorities somewhat than in opposition to them.
“The FAA is within the enterprise of training you, not busting you,” he mentioned. “When you work with them, every part 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 part has shifted — I get waivers now, and if I can’t do it legally, I gained’t try 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:
- At all times test for TFRs earlier than flying — they’re non-negotiable.
- Concentrate on park boundaries and take off from outdoors park property when essential.
- 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 individuals round you when taking off from public areas.
- Stay away from geofenced areas even when your drone now not enforces them.
- Industrial work requires considerably extra permits and insurance coverage.
- When doubtful, work with authorities somewhat than in opposition to 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 places and methods, comply with Eric Thurber on Instagram @thurber_shots or try his tutorials on YouTube.
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