In an effort to prevent unmanned aerial systems from buzzing around Washington, D.C., during the busy tourist season, the FAA launched a public awareness campaign to declare the area a “No Drone Zone.” The announcement reminds the public that unmanned UAS flights are prohibited in the airspace in the 15-mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. The FAA made publicly available on its website a large selection of graphics, placards and posters with the “No Drone Zone” logo for law enforcement agencies and, perhaps, any other citizens who want to keep drones away.
The FAA had previously created the “No Drone Zone” motto to prevent UAS flyovers of the kind that had occurred at sporting events, leading to legal scuffles with the operators. The agency had a widespread campaign before January’s Super Bowl. While proposed rules for UAS operators are pending, a variety of self-regulating options are in place. The FAA has tried to raise public awareness with a list of drone “do’s and don’ts” and is testing a smartphone app to help operators find legal airspace to fly in. Meanwhile, the maker of the DJI Phantom drone has programmed its quadcopters to avoid restricted airspace.
