Signs Posted At Parks And Trailheads Run Contrary To Federal Law

Signs have been popping up saying drone flights are prohibited on trails and in parks in and around Sedona, AZ, but there is apparently no way for anyone to enforce the "No Drone Zones".

The Red Rock News reports that the signs say drone flights are prohibited within five miles of an airport, and refers potential drone users either to the airport authority or the U.S. Forest Service. The airport website has a link to "Report" drone flights, which are referred on to Deborah Abingdon, the Sedona airport manager.

But the FAA says that airport operators cannot ban drones. FAA regional spokesman Ian Gregor told the Red Rock News that "these trail areas are not “no drone zones” — they actually offer some of the most favorable regulatory conditions for drones under Class G Uncontrolled Airspace.

"According to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107, drone users with a Remote Pilot Certification can operate a drone freely below 400 feet in Class G Uncontrolled Airspace, but must obtain an FAA waiver to fly at higher altitudes.

"Recreational — non-certified or non-commercial — drone users, are required to notify the airport when flying within 5 miles of its runway — but only if there is an air traffic control tower.

"The Sedona Airport does not have an air traffic control tower, therefore, no notification is required. FAA Aviation Safety Inspector Jeffrey Larson confirmed that the location of the signs is Class G Uncontrolled Airspace and that no notification for drone flights is required, meaning these are not “no drone zones,” despite the misleading signs.

“It’s important to note that the FAA has sole jurisdiction over the nation’s airspace, including airspace immediately around airports, for the purposes of air navigation. Airport operators cannot ban drones.”

When contacted, Abingdon said that the airport "does not recommend" drone flights, but did not say there was any law banning them.

There was a reported incident in which a drone collided with a plane near Sedona Airport in 2017, but that could not be confirmed by the FAA, and Abingdon did not provide any details, such as the name of the pilot, the airplane registration number, or other facts to support the case. There is no report of any incident on the NTSB's database occurring at Sedona Airport in 2017.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report