According to a general rule, drone pilots are allowed to fly their aircraft on the territory of the United States of America. However, there are certain restrictions in terms of compliance with rules in some regions of the country - in this case, the state of Michigan.
Read ahead to get better acquainted with Michigan's rules and regulations on flying drones.
Can I Have A Drone In Michigan?
Yes, you can. People in Michigan are allowed to own drones and fly them for commercial and recreational purposes.
However, before flying, you should familiarize yourself with some basic requirements for future pilots that are stated in the FAA's Part 107 Small UAS Rule. So, in order not to find yourself in a situation where you are breaking the law due to lack of information, scroll down for additional Michigan rules on drone-flying.
What Type Of Drones Does The Michigan Legislature Stand Behind?
The Michigan Legislature defines drones as any unmanned aircraft that can be remotely controlled without human presence. Drones fall under the category of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).
Within the state of Michigan, there are specific rules that you should stick to if you wish to fly drones without violating the law or trespassing someone’s property.
Recreational Drone Flying in Michigan
As stated, flying your drone for recreational purposes is allowed as long as you comply with the rules that apply to your community.
Following community guidelines, your drone must weigh less than 55 pounds for recreational flying. If you’re flying your drone for personal enjoyment, you must keep it within your visual line of sight. Also, it is recommended that you bring along a co-located observer. You should be in constant communication with the observer for safety reasons.
As for flight altitude, keep your drone below 400 feet, and do not interfere with other crewed aircraft.
Do not use your drone for potentially dangerous operations that involve emergency response activities, flying near critical infrastructure, and the like.
Do I Have To Register My Drone?
Of course. As a drone pilot, you have to register your aircraft. The registration process will cost you no more than $5, and the registration is valid for three years. That’s applicable for drones up to 55 pounds.
In instances where law enforcement or other authorities need confirmation, you must carry registration proof with you at all times.
However, if your drone weighs less than 0.55 pounds, it does not need to be registered.
Can I Still Get Penalties If I Use A Drone In Michigan?
Yes. The first penalty concerns avoiding the registration of your drone and failure to provide documentation upon request. That can cost drone pilots up to $27,800.
Moreover, some areas in Michigan adhere to specific laws when it comes to flying drones for recreational or commercial purposes. For example, in West Bloomfield, you cannot fly your drones in any of the state parks.
In addition to that, the Department of Natural Resources does not allow individuals to fly drones within 100 yards of historic landmarks.
What If I Want To Fly My Commercial Drone In Michigan?
You can legally operate your commercial drone as long as you follow the rules imposed by the community you reside in. The rules for flying your drone for commercial purposes are recognized under the FAA Part 107.
Reviewing Part 107 Rules involves going over critical regulations about flying in daylight and within visual line of sight, operations near other people, limitations, and so on.
Next, drone operators must pass the Knowledge Test to become Certified Drone Pilots. To be eligible to take the test in the first place, you need to be at least 16 years old and of good mental and physical health.
Lastly, you should mark your drone with your registration number; it will be of great help if it gets lost or stolen.
