Can You Fly A Drone In Zion National Park? Expert Answer

As the first national park in the state of Utah, Zion features a large and breathtaking terrain. So, Can You Fly A Drone In Zion National Park? Drones, helicopters, and other aircraft-based remote-controlled devices are not permitted in the Zion National Park area.

Can You Fly A Drone In Zion National Park?

Specially trained drone pilots, emergency responders, and government officials are permitted to fly in National Parks like Zion with special permission. Learn more about how to capture the footage you require and where else you may fly your drone in Utah.

How Do You Fly A Drone Over Zion National Park Legally?

One of Utah’s first national parks is Zion National Park. Visitors to this wonderful park can expect nothing less than a lifetime of unforgettable experiences and unforgettable views. The National Parks, on the other hand, are extremely sensitive locations and must be approached cautiously. Zion is a national park; therefore it’s free to visit. It is against the law to fly into or out of a national park, according to the National Park Service (NPS).

Drone enthusiasts planning vacations to Zion have been left disappointed as a result of this regulation, which prohibits the use of drones within the national park. A loophole exists in this law, but it’s legal. Taking off and landing outside of a national park is legal, allowing you to fly above the park.

The Park Rangers won’t have an issue with you as long as you don’t take off or land in the National Park. Pilots who are aware of this loophole tend to search for an area near the National Park where they can take off and land. It will be much easier for them to fly above the park and get the images they need.

All of the processes I’ve just described are legal and do not violate any rules issued by the National Park Service or the Federal Aviation Administration. As with any loophole, there is a chance of being exploited. Flying over the National Area even if you take off from an airport outside of the park is still a risk. As long as you’re still flying your drone, you’re still at risk of crashing.

A drone malfunction could cause you to crash inside the park, resulting in a lot of difficulty with the NPS and even law authorities if you are caught. You may also lose track of your drone if you’re not careful. You should also be aware that it is against FAA rules and regulations to lose sight of your drone. Read on if you’re not already familiar with drone rules and what you need to know about them.

What Is The Purpose Of The Policy?

Policy Memorandum 14-05 came into force on June 19, 2014. To limit the use of drone aircraft in national parks, this policy memorandum was issued. According to the definition, an unmanned aircraft is one in which the intended use of the equipment does not involve any kind of direct human involvement during flight.

System operators must use cameras and sensors to operate the gadget; these are included in this category. According to the policy memorandum, drones can only be launched, landed, and operated from or on NPS lands and seas. If you’re flying a drone above an amusement park, the policy referendum doesn’t apply to you because you’re flying it outside the park.

Exception

A special use permit was issued to allow for operations involving drones that were previously prohibited under the Policy Memorandum. The Associate Director for Visitor and Resource Protection must sign off on it in writing. Several requirements must be met before submitting a request for a special use permit.

• Disobey any of the Federal Aviation Association’s drone use regulations.
• Do not injure or harm the park’s natural resources.
• Negatively damage the park tranquility or the objective of the park.
• Infringe on any of the NPS’s services or operations within the park.
• Disrupt the park’s interpretative services for visitors.
• To put public health & safety in jeopardy
• The use of the space will be in direct conflict with other uses already in place.
• A special use permit can only be given if all of these requirements are met and the specified portions of the park can be clearly defined.

Drones must not harm wildlife, and they must not interfere with National Park Service (NPS) operations, in addition to the regular special-use permission requirements.

• Drones should not be flown carelessly, and they should only be used inside the specified area.
• There must be no drunkenness or drug use while piloting a drone.
• Inexperienced drone operators should always be accompanied by a more experienced pilot.
• They must not be flown in such a way that they jeopardize the lives or property of anyone else.
• The National Park Service (NPS) must be notified immediately of any mishap that results in an injury, even if the damage is minor.
• Drones must always be inside the operator’s line of sight.
• There must be liability insurance or proof of membership in an organization that incorporates it for operators to be allowed to operate.

Whether Or Not The Ban On Drones In National Parks Is Justified?

To my astonishment, the National Park Service does not prohibit the use of battery-powered and environmentally-friendly remote-controlled aircraft in their parks. An ORV is an off-road vehicle that includes sand buggies and ATVs. The 96 dB rule for ATVs has been implemented in a large number of states.

An ATV cannot be louder than 96 decibels (dB). Drones are becoming much quieter than ATVs. If you’re 6 meters away from a Phantom 4, you won’t hear anything above 70 decibels (dB). And if you’re flying your drone at a height of 100–150 feet, you’ll notice a huge noise reduction. The new Phantom 4 V2 is said to be much quieter than previous versions.

The NPS website warns that ORVs can also be dangerous. Fish and other creatures, for example, can be poisoned by fluids released by ORVs. ORVs can also wreak havoc on flora and dunes. National parks should allow drones to fly in their airspace for economic reasons as well.

The National Park Service (NPS) estimates that $11.6 billion in backlog work is needed for FY 2017. Even if the National Park Service (NPS) is unable to charge for photography permits, allowing drones to fly could still be a valuable source of cash.

Are Drones Allowed In Zion National Park?

It is forbidden to use remote-controlled equipment inside Zion National Park, including but not limited to helicopters, drones, and other aircraft-based equipment.

What Happens If You Fly A Drone In A National Park?

Flying a drone through a national park could result in a $5,000 fine and six months in jail. Your drone and any related equipment will also be seized. Park rangers may be issued a citation and expelled from the park. However, within national park airspace, drone flight has much more effects.

Conclusion

Finally, Can You Fly A Drone In Zion National Park? If you’re looking for complete guidance on flying a drone in national parks and historic sites, this article is for you. A national park is a no-fly zone, but there are ways to launch and land your drone if you are on private property that is not part of the park’s boundaries.

Using a drone in a state or national park is the ideal way to get stunning images of nature, provided that the park allows the use of such aircraft. If you wish to stay out of trouble in the future, make sure you follow the guidelines outlined in this article.

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