Drone laws in Alaska [March 2023] [Rules & How to Register]

How can you legally fly a drone in Alaska? What are the drone laws in Alaska? There are very strict prohibitions for using a remote-control flying machine to the point where even buying one could get you into trouble. This is among the reasons why you need to be aware of the drone laws in Alaska and be careful to avoid trouble when flying your drone in this state.

Alaska has a list of laws that apply to drone operators. A drone can’t be used during the hours of darkness, and it must be visible at all times to its operator. A drone can’t go within 500 feet of an airport or airfield without permission from the authorities.

You’re probably new to flying in Alaska and still wondering if you need a drone permit. Well, I’m here to tell you that you do. Now, we dive further into the drone laws of Alaska.

What Is A Drone?

You might have heard a lot of people talking about the drone market lately; chances are, you’ve even seen one or two on your flight up to Alaska. But what actually is a drone?

Drones are unmanned aircraft that can be remotely controlled by operators or can autonomously fly with pre-programmed flight plans using GPS. They come in all shapes and sizes—some drones are as large as a small helicopter, while some recreational models are small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Where Can I Fly My Drone?

While we have tried to make this list as accurate as possible, the rules around drones can change quickly. You should always check with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) website for current information and regulations.

That being said, generally speaking:

• You may fly your drone in a park, so long as you do not trespass on private property or interfere with other people’s enjoyment of the park. If there is an event like a concert happening that charges admission and your drone could interfere with the experience of ticket-holders, steer clear.
• You may not fly in National Parks (State parks are usually OK but check first). The FAA has restricted flights over National Parks to protect wildlife and ensure visitor safety.
• You cannot fly your drone over any school, childcare facility, or daycare facility during normal operating hours unless you were hired by those facilities to perform certain services.
• Recreational drone use is banned from military bases, including Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage and Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks.
• Drones cannot interfere with airport operations or be flown within five miles of an airport without permission from air traffic control tower.

What Are The Rules For Flying My Drone In Alaska?

Alaska is a place that’s all about flight, whether it comes in the form of air travel or altitude, and if you’re looking to fly on your own terms with a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle), there are some things to keep in mind before heading out. In addition to that, law enforcement officials have been working hard to create new laws surrounding drones. These are the current Alaska drone laws:

• Drones cannot be flown within five miles of any airport without permission from airport authorities
• Drones must be registered with state, national, or local government
• Drones must always be flown below 400 feet and away from people and aircraft
• You MAY NOT fly drones over private property without permission from the owner
• You MUST obey all federal, state and local laws when flying your drone
• You must register the drone with the FAA

• You must avoid operating your drone in a way that would interfere with manned aircraft. This means not flying above people, buildings, or stadiums, and staying 5 miles away from airports. You should also avoid operating your drone over groups of people, public events, or sensitive infrastructure such as power stations.
• You must be in visual line of sight at all times when flying the drone and must operate it only during daylight hours.

Can I Fly My Drone In Parks?

You can take your drone to most state parks and recreational areas in Alaska, but there are some exceptions. You’re not allowed to fly your drone in Denali National Park and Preserve, Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, or any national park or monument in the state.

What Do I Need To Do Before Flying My Drone?

Before you can fly your drone, you’ll need to make sure your drone is registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the state of Alaska.

You should also check for any local ordinances that may limit where and when you can fly your drone.

You will also want to check if there are any restrictions on flying drones in national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, or on tribal land in Alaska.

So, you’ve registered your drone and you’re ready to take to the skies. Here are some ways to keep your flight safe and legal no matter where in Alaska you’re flying:

• Don’t fly through clouds or fog.
• Don’t fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Ever.
• Follow all airspace restrictions and requirements, especially near airports.
• Don’t fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people.
• Never interfere with emergency response efforts such as fires or hurricane recovery efforts.
• Remain clear of other aircraft at all times, both manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft (other drones).

Follow The Local Laws

Flying your drone comes with a lot of freedom, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. While there are no specific drone laws in Alaska, you must follow the local laws and ask permission from the landowner before taking off. You should also familiarize yourself with federal regulations to make sure you aren’t breaking those rules, too.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires that all drones be registered if they weigh between 0.55 pounds and 55 pounds—and they want you to register even if your drone weighs less than 0.55 pounds!

You Can Fly A Drone In Alaska

You can fly a drone in Alaska if you follow the rules and understand the risks.

If you’re flying on your own private property or from open land where permission is granted, you’ll need to register with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and ensure that your drone weighs less than 55 lbs.

To use an unmanned aircraft for commercial purposes, you’ll need an FAA Section 333 exemption and special operator certification, which can be obtained through a test and process that takes approximately six months.

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game says it is illegal to use a drone to hunt an animal. It is also illegal to launch or land on state or federal land, except when used by federal government employees for work-related tasks.

Drone From Your Own Private Property

You can launch from your own private property or from open land.

If you’re planning to fly over or near state lands, check with the individual department that manages the area before you go. If you’re flying on federal land, you will need to get special permission.

Be sure not to launch from somebody else’s private property without their permission—that’s trespassing!

It’s Illegal To Use A Drone To Hunt

You probably know that it’s illegal to hunt with a gun, but did you know that it’s also illegal to use a drone to kill an animal? It is. And the consequences are just as severe as they would be for hunting with a weapon.

Using a drone to hunt an animal is illegal because drones are not weapons and cannot be used like weapons. You can’t shoot bullets or arrows from them, and you can’t hit animals over the head with them or stab them with their rotors.

Drones are made of plastic, metal, and other materials that are not sharp enough to pierce or dismember prey; they’re also not heavy enough to knock out large game. If you did happen to somehow fatally injure an animal by hitting it with your drone, there would be no way of eating the meat because your drone would have been damaged in the process.

It’s Illegal To Launch Or Land On State

In Alaska, it’s illegal to launch or land on state or federal land. State lands include parks, beaches, and trails. Federal lands include national parks (such as Denali National Park) and military installations. You can launch or land on open land, where you have the permission of the owner whose private property you are launching or landing from.

You can launch or land from your own private property. You cannot launch or land from a different person’s property without their permission.

Drones Should Not Be Within 100 Feet Of Buildings Or Cars

Drones should not be within 100 feet of buildings, vehicles, or people. Drones are powerful machines that can cause a lot of damage to anything they might hit.

Drones are also very sensitive to weather and wind, and it’s hard to control one precisely at a distance. Also, drones may run out of power or get caught in trees and fall, which could cause injuries if people are nearby.

Users should use common sense when flying their drones. They should only fly as high as they need to in order to get the shots they want, and they shouldn’t fly above crowds or large groups where they could hurt someone if anything goes wrong.

Related: Drone Rules in Florida

Drones Should Not Be Flown Over Groups Of People

You should not fly drones over groups of people. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits operating drones over a crowd of people unless you are granted a waiver. Drones should not be flown near stadiums, where the drones could fall on a large number of people and cause injury or property damage.

The FAA has stated that it is “dangerous and illegal to operate any aircraft, including drones, in a careless or reckless manner” and that it will take enforcement action against anyone who endangers the safety of the national airspace system.

Drones Should Not Be Flown Near Airports.

If you are flying your drone without a permit, you should consider the following:

• Drones should not be flown within 5 miles of an airport or in restricted airspace.
• Drones must be flown lower than 400 feet.
• Drones should not be flown over people.

It’s Illegal To Use Drones To Harass Other People.

It’s illegal to use drones to harass or spy on other people. If you’re flying a drone, it’s best to assume that everything you record is private and personal information and that if you distribute it, you’re in violation of state law. That means don’t use a drone to bully someone, don’t threaten someone with one, and for heaven’s sake, don’t try to invade anyone’s privacy by recording them.

It’s Important To Follow The Laws In Alaska

You need a permit to use a drone in Alaska. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also has rules that you must follow, including flying only during daylight hours and keeping the drone within your line of sight at all times.

There are many laws concerning drone usage in Alaska, so it’s important to know these laws before using a drone in our state. These laws protect people, property, privacy and the environment by limiting how someone can use their new camera-equipped drone. We want everyone to enjoy our beautiful state without causing problems for others due to careless or illegal use of drones.

Frequently Asked Question (drone Laws In Alaska)

What Is The Difference Between Commercial And Non-commercial Drone Operations?

The distinction between commercial and non-commercial operations can be confusing. If you’re thinking about using your drone for profit, it’s best to keep in mind that there are different regulations for commercial drones than for non-commercial drones.

Do I Need Permission From The State To Fly My Drone In Alaska?

If you’re planning on flying your drone in Alaska, it’s a good idea to get permission from the state first. You can apply for a permit online, or find more information on the state’s website.

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of applying for one of these permits yourself, there are plenty of other ways you can fly your drone legally in Alaska.

For example:

• You could enlist a friend or family member to operate it while you fly by hand (this is called “operating by visual observer”). This is also known as “line-of-sight” operation and is generally considered safe since there’s no risk of losing signal between your drone and controller—but be aware that operating this way means that if anything goes wrong with your drone (if its battery dies or something else malfunctions), then somebody might get hurt.
• Or maybe instead you’d rather use an FPV system (first person view). In this case, all that matters is how far away from your eyesight there are before things go dark at night—and if both parties involved have passed their written tests proving they know what they’re doing then nobody should have any problem with using this type of device either!

Which State Parks Allow Drones, And Which Don’t?

The best way to answer this question is by looking at the Alaska Department of Natural Resources’s (DNR) drone policy. DNR does not have a specific list of places that you can or cannot fly, but they do have a few rules that are important to understand:

• You can fly in any state park as long as it’s not posted as a no-fly zone. This includes parks with campgrounds and trails through wilderness areas, like Denali State Park.
• Many parks are off-limits due to safety concerns such as wildlife viewing areas and helicopter landing sites. These include Katmai National Park & Preserve and Wrangell-St Elias National Park & Preserve, where drones may interfere with visitors’ ability to watch bears fishing salmon from the riverbanks or search for caribou herds migrating across vast tundra plains respectively.

What Do I Need To Know About Taking My Drone On An Airplane?

You will need to check with your airline and see if they allow drones on their planes. Commercial drones are regulated by the FAA, so if you are using a commercial drone, you will need permission from the FAA to bring it on an airplane.

Non-commercial drones do not require permission from the FAA to be brought on an airplane, but some airlines may ask for fees or restrictions when bringing them along. If a non-commercial drone is too large for cabin storage, it must be checked as baggage.

Conclusion

As a drone pilot in Alaska, you must stay at least 30 feet away from people and property when flying outdoors. You can’t fly over any roads in Alaska unless the FAA grants you waiver. Never use your drone to interfere with other aircraft or vehicles in Alaskan airspace.

 Hopefully, we’ve cleared up some of the confusion surrounding Alaska’s drone laws. In the future, if you violate Alaska’s drone laws and are charged with a crime, knowing Alaska’s laws will matter–so you might want to make sure that you know what they are before flying your drone over Alaska.