Tampa, a city on the Gulf Coast, is understood for its Spanish and Cuban-influenced Ybor City with night life and dining, its abundant culture, and its service center.
The city likewise has museums, zoos, beaches, and sports galore. You aspire to experience whatever Tampa needs to provide with your drone.
Can you fly a drone in Tampa?
You can fly a drone in Tampa, although not over or on the premises of the University of Tampa. The very best locations to utilize a drone in this city consist of Sulphur Springs Tower, Dunedin Causeway, and McKay Bay.
This guide will set out all the guidelines for running a drone in Tampa, consisting of suggestions on where to fly, a list of locations that are off-limits, and a wrap-up of the state’s significant drone laws.
You will not wish to miss it!
Can you fly a drone in Tampa?
The FAA develops the drone use guidelines in Florida, which allow drones throughout the state, consisting of Tampa.
In between federal, state, and regional laws, let’s have a look at the locations you can not lawfully take a drone here.
The University of Tampa
Numerous college schools restrict drone use on or around school premises to preserve the peace and personal privacy of trainees and personnel.
The University of Tampa follows the exact same policy[1]
Because 2015, the college has actually prohibited drones on school unless the general public or university neighborhood members have approval and an agreement allowing drone usage.
This is according to Area 16-36 of the City of Tampa City Regulation, which specifies that:
” No individual will remove, launch, ascend, or come down any airplane, glider, balloon, design plane, or parachute in or upon any department handled land without legal authority or an authorized center rental application from the department.”
Airports
As holds true throughout the United States, you can not utilize your drone within 5 nautical miles of any airports throughout Tampa.
Tampa International Airport is the huge one, however remain abreast of these airports when preparing your drone experiences in Tampa:
- St. Pete– Clearwater International Airport
- Tampa Executive Airport
- Peter O. Knight Airport
Military bases
Simply as you can’t fly a drone within 5 nautical miles of an airport, the exact same guideline uses to military bases around Tampa.
MacDill Flying Force Base is the primary military base in this seaside city.
State parks
Florida Administrative Code 40C-9.320 states that “all-terrain, off-road, or other motorized automobiles” should have an Unique Usage Permission prior to running on Florida District Lands, consisting of state parks.
Ensure you keep your range from the list below state parks:
- Skyway Fishing Pier State Park in St. Petersburg
- Caladesi Island State Park in Dunedin
- Ybor City Museum State Park in Tampa
- Honeymoon Island State Park in Dunedin
- Egmont Secret State Park in St. Petersburg
The 6 finest locations to fly a drone in Tampa
Now that we have actually talked about the parts of Tampa you should prevent when running your drone, let’s explore the locations where you’re enabled to go, as there are a lot of them!
1. Curtis Hixon Waterside Park
In busy downtown Tampa, Curtis Hixon Waterside Park is an eight-acre park that’s a close walk on foot to the Rivergate Tower, Glazer Kid’s Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, and Tampa Riverwalk.
Although drones are forbidden in those areas, you can check out the waterside park to your heart’s material.
Its urban-inspired style makes it unlike a lot of parks you’ll see, as it includes LED lighting throughout, recovered watering water, the Great Yard, and structures.
If you utilize your drone near the Mist or Louver water fountains, remember they’re interactive and therefore unforeseeable.
2. Sulphur Springs Tower
The Sulphur Springs Tower is a water tower on 455-479 Bird Street in Tampa.
Although a water tower does not seem like the most awesome location to go to when you have a minimal time in Tampa, this isn’t your typical water tower.
The tower has a castle-like style, for beginners. Sulphur Springs Tower is likewise soaked in history, as it was built in 1927. At the time, its style was meant as a theme park focal point.
Checking out the tower implies stepping through the general public park that surrounds it. The tower is 214 feet, so your drone can lawfully fly to the top. Nevertheless, do not land your UAV on the tower!
3. Location 52 AMA Field
The Bay City Flyers handle the AMA field at Location 52 in Tampa Bay. If you have an interest in flying your drone here, you’ll need to sign up with the club
New members should show skilled in running drones. For those still brand-new to the pastime, the BCF will release a No Solo Card, which implies the drone pilot should have somebody more knowledgeable accompanying them.
The one-time initiation charge to sign up with the club costs $125, then it’s a $75 charge every year to preserve subscription. You should likewise belong to the Academy of Design Aeronautics to be qualified to sign up with the BCF.
4. Dunedin Causeway
A relaxing part of Florida in neighboring Dunedin, the Dunedin Causeway is a far less congested location than the majority of the city’s beauteous beaches.
Committed paddlers will venture out here, however otherwise, you must have the majority of the location to yourself.
You can take some really spectacular shots here, specifically at dawn or sundown as the sky comes alive in pastel, electrical shades!
5. Fort De Soto Park
A little south of St. Petersburg is Fort De Soto Park. Although not in Tampa outright, it’s still worth checking out, as it’s a big 1,136 acres.
Popular for kayaking, beachcombing, and walking, Fort De Soto Park consists of 5 interconnected secrets.
As you venture from one secret to another, you can find native plants, woods, palm hammocks, wetlands, mangroves, and beach plants.
Over 300 bird types call the location house, and loggerhead sea turtles nest here every year.
Offer the wildlife and plant types a broad berth and prevent crowds and you must be great to go when flying here!
6. McKay Bay
Tampa Bay’s northeastern corner is referred to as McKay Bay. This body of water includes the McKay Bay Greenway that causes the Tampa Bypass Canal. The McKay Bay Nature Park is likewise in the location, however we advise sticking nearer to the bay.
Like when checking out the Dunedin Causeway, you can catch some really stunning video at McKay Bay!
Florida drone laws for your journey to Tampa
To finish up, the following drone laws in Florida concern remember as you release your drone in Tampa.
Do not run on handled lands
The Department of Farming and Customer Surfaces restricts drone usage on handled lands throughout the state without approval.
Regard the personal privacy of others
According to SB 766, drone pilots can not utilize their UAVs to picture residential or commercial properties, structure owners, renters, or privately-owned residents if they remain in an environment where they can fairly anticipate a degree of personal privacy.
The only exception is if you talk to the individual initially and request their approval.
Follow FAA laws
In addition to Florida’s state and regional laws, you’re likewise needed to follow these FAA standards when you run your drone.
- Do not fly your drone greater than 400 feet from the ground.
- Register your drone if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds.
- Bring a legitimate drone license. Industrial pilots should have a present Remote Pilot Certificate (which ends every 2 years), and leisure pilots require a TRUST certificate.
- Just run your drone in between dawn and sundown unless you have previous approval and requisite lighting for your drone.
- Utilize your drone in unrestrained airspace. If you should get in regulated airspace, demand permission.
- Do not run your drone within 5 nautical miles of military bases and airports.
- Offer manned airplane the access.
- Do not run a drone that weighs more than 55 pounds, consisting of the drone’s initial weight or the addition of payload.
- Just fly a drone within your visual view, or how far you can naturally see it. If you can’t do that, you should have a visual observer with you.
- Do not fly your drone in severe weather condition, consisting of strong winds, fog, or heavy rains.
- Do not fly your drone over moving automobiles.
- You can not fly your drone over crowds unless you have approval or your drone weighs under 0.55 pounds.
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Preparation
Peltier has rather the experience, making him certified to teach about photography and drones in different courses. He belonged of the U.S. Flying Force as an F-15E flight trainer for a years.
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Tampa is a remarkable location to go to, and it’s specifically excellent to bring a drone.
The beaches, bays, and city shorelines here bring in big crowds, consisting of drone pilots. When operating, keep in mind to follow regional, statewide, and federal laws.
Referrals:
1. University of Tampa drone policy ( link)