Legal & Safety Guide

 Fly Smart: Legal Compliance and Pre-Flight Checks

Staying legal protects the hobby. Here is your checklist before every session.

  • Step 1: The Location Check Before you leave home, open an airspace app (like AirMap, DroneBuddy, or your local equivalent).
    • Red Zone: No Fly Zone (Airports, Prisons). Do not fly.
    • Yellow Zone: Restricted. Check for altitude limits or unlock requirements.
    • Green Zone: Good to fly.
  • Step 2: The Spotter Rule FPV goggles blind you to the outside world. Legally, you usually need a visual observer standing next to you to watch the drone with their naked eyes and warn you of approaching aircraft or people.
  • Step 3: FailSafe Verification Crucial: Remove props. Arm drone. Turn off radio. The motors must stop spinning instantly (or enter GPS Rescue). If the motors keep spinning, do not fly. You have a "flyaway" risk.
  • Step 4: Distance Limits Most regulations require you to fly within Visual Line of Sight (VLOS). Even if your video goes 10km, flying that far is often illegal without special permits.

 

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