Would Prohibit Flight Near Some Landmarks And Large Gatherings

The Orlando City Commission will take a final vote on its proposed drone ordinance on January 9 after initial passage earlier this month.

The ordinance would ban the flight of UAVs of any size within 500 feet of city-owned parks or buildings, schools, stadiums and theme parks. It also would prohibit flight over any gathering of more than 1,000 people.

Under the proposed ordinance, drone operation while intoxicated would be prohibited, as would use of the aircraft as a weapon or for voyeurism.

The legislation creates a $20 permit for each flight, or operators can buy an annual permit for $150.

The Orlando Sentinel reports that the penalties for violating the ordinance would be $200 for a first offence, and $400 for each subsequent offence. A drone operator could also be arrested if the officer believes that public safety is being threatened.

For the purely recreational pilot, the legislation would create a "Drone Zone" at Bill Frederick Park where flight would be allowed at any time with no permit required.

David Daniel, a lobbyist for the UAS Association of Florida, told the paper that the legislation will "hinder the growth of the drone business in Orlando." He said the legislation creates confusion with operators, and sends a message that the city is not "friendly to legal drone operations."

Police legal advisor Austin Moore said that the legislation was crafted in response to questions from commercial drone operators and police, who noticed an increase in the number of the aircraft over crowds at outdoor events.

Daniels said that some portions of the rules are redundant. Orlando already has laws against voyeurism, for example. He said the drone is "just a tool," and that the city does not outlaw cameras with telephoto lenses in an effort to combat voyeurism.

The initial vote on the legislation earlier this month was unanimous.

(Image from file)

FMI: Proposed Ordinance