FAA Tells D.C. Visitors ‘Leave Drone at Home’

As hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the Washington, D.C., area for their summer vacations and residents join them on city streets and at public gatherings, the Federal Aviation Administration has a clear message for everyone: Leave Your Drone at Home.

The FAA has announced a public outreach campaign for the region around Washington, D.C., to reinforce the message that the city itself, and communities within a 15-mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, are a “No Drone Zone.” The effort includes furnishing outreach materials to federal, state and local partners around the National Capital Region. The agency wants to ensure residents and tourists all understand that flying an unmanned aircraft in this area for any purpose is against the law.

The push follows two incidents when drones entered the no-fly zone around the White House. The most recent was on May 14.

Rules put in place after the 9/11 attacks establish “national defense airspace” over the D.C. area and limit aircraft operations — including unmanned aircraft — to those with an FAA and Transportation Security Administration authorization. Violators may face stiff fines and criminal penalties.

The bottom line: Enjoy your visit to the nation’s capital. Bring your family, your cameras and plenty of sunscreen. Just don’t bring your drone.

For more information, visit the FAA’s No Drone Zone webpage.