When drones were first becoming popular there were concerns about drones flying into restricted air space, interfering with emergency services, flying into crowds or buildings, or yet other dangerous behaviors. Who was allowed to fly drones, when and where was still being sorted out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over time progress has been made. 

This Saturday, June 18, has been designated Drone Safety Day by the FAA. The day is dedicated to helping the drone community understand the importance of flying safely, and through events of the day will highlight the societal, economic, and safety benefits of drones. Drones, or unmanned aircraft, are the fastest growing segment of aviation in the United States, with over 860,000 drones registered with the FAA as of January, and more than 260,000 certified remote pilots.

June 18th is the day the FAA has designated to share how drones are being used to help businesses with their operations; to provide an opportunity for drone enthusiasts to share their passion with friends and family, and a great day for organizations using drones to kick off new safety initiatives.

The safety message for Drone Safety Day 2022 is Fly RIGHT:

  • Register your drone – DroneZone
  • Interact with others
  • Gain knowledge
  • Have a safety plan
  • TRUST and Train

A drone must be registered with the FAA if:

  • It is at least 55 pounds;
  • It is planned to/will be qualified to operate outside the United States;
  • It's title is held in trust;
  • It's owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements.

All drones flown under Part 107 must be registered, regardless of weight. Drones flown recreationally must be registered if they weigh more than 250 grams. An unmanned aircraft owner can register a drone through the FAA Drone Zone.

Drone Safety Day will focus on five areas of drone safety:

Education – How to safely operate drones, fostering greater understanding of the commercial and recreational uses of drones, and highlighting how drones are being used in education.

Economics – Highlighting the economic, societal, and safety benefits of using drone technologies. For example, using a drone to inspect infrastructure that would be more dangerous for a human to inspect (i.e. bridges, towers, power lines, etc.)

Equity – Opens opportunities for everyone. Drones are an equalizer in aviation. They require a lower cost to entry, and are being implemented in schools all over the country in STEM applications. They also provide an opportunity to fly for people who would not be able to fly a traditional aircraft.

Environment – Understanding the environmental and sustainability benefits of drone technologies. From reforestation to monitoring wildlife populations, there are countless ways to engage with our environment using drones.

Emergencies – Learn how drones are used in emergency situations such as: natural disasters, search & rescue, firefighting, public safety, and other uses.

The FAA provides a full description of the day in their Drone Safety Day Playbook. A listing of all drone related events, including those held on Drone Safety Day, can be found here.

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