The Alaska Department of Transportation has issued a variety of safety reminders to personal drone users as the devices become more common.
Deputy Commissioner of Aviation John Binder has said they have received increased public inquiries as to when and where unmanned aerial systems, or drones, can be flown.
Binder: “The FAA is still working out specific rule making so all they have to this point is guidelines, the big highlights there are recommend they stay below 400 feet because the lowest piloted aircraft are supposed to fly normally is 500 feet, we recommend you keep within your eyesight at all times, some of these systems do have remote visual systems that allow them to get quite a ways away from the operator and the further they get away the less control you have over them.”
He said another precaution that drone owners should take is that if flying within five miles of an airport, they should contact the airport manager to be sure there won’t be any activities they might impact.
As we reported in December, drones were in the top five requested gifts for Christmas.
For more recommended safety precautions for drone users, click here.
