Are sub 250g drones exempt from regulations?
There is a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding when it comes to flying a UAV, drone, or model aircraft in the United States that weighs less than 250g ( 0.55lbs ). Many people incorrectly assume that if their aircraft is less than 250g they can safely ignore all the regulations. However this is not the case for anyone flying outdoors in the US.
It is true that recreational pilots, those flying just for fun and not for the furtherance of a business, do not have to register their drone if the flying weight is below 250g. However ALL other regulations do apply to any UAV that weighs less than 55 pounds, with no lower bound. Such as the following:
If you are flying in controlled airspace, you need to use LAANC to get authorization.
You must have a visual observer colocated with you that can see the UAV if flying FPV.
You must stay below 400 feet Above Ground Level ( AGL ) or the maximum height allowed by LAANC for the area.
Follow all FAA airspace restrictions including TFRs and NOTAMs.
Never fly near other aircraft.
Always give way to all other aircraft.
Never fly over groups of people.
Never fly near emergency response activities.
Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What about Remote ID?
At the end of December 2020, the FAA released the final rule on Remote ID. In this regulation the FAA says that the Remote ID requirements apply to any UAS that is required to register with the FAA. This means that recreational use of a sub 250g UAV will not be required to comply with the remote ID regulation because they are not currently required to register. However this could change at any time. The rules for operating a UAS in compliance with Remote ID will take effect in October of 2023.
The rules are different for anyone flying commercially, often called Part 107 after the certification required. If you are flying under Part 107, the aircraft you are using must be registered with the FAA no matter how little it weighs. This means that under the current remote ID rule, even a 50g UAV, if flown under Part 107, would be required to comply with the remote ID and registration regulations.
