MEGATech Guide: Top 13 Rules for Drone Etiquette and Safety

Don’t Fly Anywhere Near an Airport

You might think that you’re being super creative by trying to get a drone video flanking a Boeing 747 as it takes off from the runway. That adheres to the “be creative” rule stated earlier, but it’s about as against the “don’t be stupid” rule as it gets.

From what I can gather, there may or may not be any hard and fast rules about whether you can fly your hobby drone near an airport, but there are recommendations and guidelines. Transport Canada says you shouldn’t fly within nine kilometres of any airport, heliport or seaplane base. They call these “aerodromes” and they are all “no drone zones.”

A similar rule applies in the United States, as regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). They say you should stay at least five miles (just over 8 kilometres) away from any airport. That said, other drone users say it can be fine as long as you ask for permission from the airport first. It’s a good idea to give them a heads-up either way.