All Drone Laws in Louisiana (2024 Updated)

Louisiana is making strides in the drone industry, with many businesses exploring the options of using drones for various applications. From delivery services to surveillance, drones are becoming essential tools for companies operating in Louisiana.

With the introduction of new regulations and laws, drones are continuously expanding in Louisiana and providing a wealth of opportunities for businesses to explore. Whether it be package delivery or agricultural use, drones quickly become necessary in this Southern state.

The use of drones is becoming more and more popular as it progresses in its technology, applications, and flexibility.

However, with the increasing popularity also comes to a lot of rules that people must adhere to if they want to fly their drones without legal repercussions. In Louisiana specifically, many rules regarding drone flight can be confusing for even seasoned pilots.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into all the drone laws in Louisiana, including registration requirements, prohibited areas for flying, safety protocol regulations, and much more, so you can stay on top of your drone knowledge.

General Drone Rules in Louisiana (2024)

Operators of drones must understand and follow the rules set by the FAA to fly their drones safely and avoid breaking the law. This article will provide an overview of the main rules that drone operators need to be aware of. Here are some guidelines to follow :

• You must register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams). You can do this online at the FAA’s website.
• You must fly your drone only for recreational or hobby purposes. If you want to fly your drone for commercial purposes, you must get special permission from the FAA.
• You must fly your drone following the rules of safe flying set by the FAA. This includes not flying your drone near airports or helipads and exceeding 400 feet (122 meters).
• You must keep your drone within your visual line of sight while flying. This means that you must be able to see your drone with your own eyes and not use binoculars or a camera.
• You must yield the right of way to manned aircraft and avoid flying in controlled airspace without prior permission.
• You must not fly your drone over groups of people and must give way to emergency vehicles.
• You must not fly your drone carelessly or recklessly, which could endanger the life or property of others.
• If you want to fly your drone at night, you must get special permission from the FAA.
• You must not fly your drone while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• You must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations, such as privacy and data protection.

Read Also: Al New Drone Laws in Alaska

Penalties for Breaking Drone Laws in Louisiana

Flying a drone without a license is a serious offense and can result in heavy fines. You could be fined if you are caught flying a drone in a restricted area. You could be fined if you operate your drone in a way that endangers people or property.

Spying on someone with a drone is a very serious offense and can result in a fine and up to 1 year in jail. Damaging someone’s property with a drone is also a serious offense and can result in a fine.

Cancellation of license

If you are discovered violating the law with your drone, be aware that it will result in the cancellation of any permits and licenses associated with its operation. Subsequently, this means no more legal flying for you.

Seizure of drone

If the FAA finds you flying your drone without a license or in an area deemed off-limits, they have the right to confiscate it. Moreover, if you endanger people or property while using your drone, this is grounds for seizure.

Civil Penalties

The FAA has the authority to hand out civil penalties for those who violate drone laws. In more serious situations, cases may be referred to the Department of Justice, resulting in hefty fines or even jail time. These criminal sanctions should not be taken lightly. They might just cost you your freedom.

Read Also: New Drone Laws in Massachusetts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The Federal Aviation Administration is a government organization that controls the national airspace in the United States.

Its mission is to ensure the safety of all commercial and non-commercial aircraft, drones, and other unmanned aerial vehicles by maintaining certain standards and regulations.

However, the FAA promotes domestic and international aviation activities by establishing environmental and technological guidance.

The FAA also publishes standards to guide civilian drone navigation data and digital hardware in order not to disrupt traditional piloted aircraft operations.

All of these steps taken by the FAA are helping to create an efficient and safe national airspace system for everyone.

FAA’s Part 107 exam

The FAA’s Part 107 exam is a requirement for anyone who wants to operate a Drone for commercial purposes. The exam covers topics such as airspace regulations, weather conditions, and emergency procedures. It is important to note that the Part 107 exam is not required for recreational drone pilots.

The Part 107 exam is a multiple-choice exam that tests your knowledge of the rules and regulations for operating a drone commercially in the United States. The exam consists of 60 questions; you must answer at least 70% of them correctly to pass.

You can take the exam at any of our authorized testing centers. You must bring a photo ID and your payment method (credit card, debit card, or money order) to the exam. The exam takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

Remote Pilot License

To operate a drone for commercial purposes, you must obtain your remote pilot certificate by Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).

This signifies that you comply with all the regulations related to Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) certification. Obtaining this permit is mandatory to ensure safe and lawful drone operations.

To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, you must be at least 16 years of age and possess valid identification. After passing the aeronautical knowledge exam, you will receive your Certificate, valid for two years.

To remain qualified and up-to-date for flight operations, you must regularly attend recurrent training every 24 months. With your remote pilot certificate in hand, you will have the legal authority to fly a drone for commercial purposes that abide by all relevant regulations.

Registering Your Drones With FAA

After you have purchased your drone, you will need to register it with the FAA before you can fly it. You can do this online at the FAA’s website or by mail. If you register your drone online, you must provide your name, address, and email address.

You will also need to create a username and password. After registering, you will be given a Certificate of Aircraft Registration and an identification number for your drone.

You must display the registration number on your drone to fly it legally. You must renew your registration every 3 years. The cost of registering a drone is $5.

The UAS Commission

The UAS Commission was established to provide an expert consensus that would help inform the creation of legislation and policy surrounding unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) use in the United States.

It consists of a diverse set of representatives from government, industry, non-governmental organizations, and academia to ensure its deliberations represent the full range of interests affected by large-scale usage of UAS.

The goal is to advise on complex privacy, safety, and security issues to create regulations that appropriately balance security, safety, and freedom.

Essentially, this commission weighs all perspectives when addressing how UAS can be used while protecting people’s privacy and other public interests.

Read Also: All New Drone Laws in Iowa

No Drone Zones in Louisiana

No Drone Zones are designated areas where drones are forbidden to operate. Louisiana is one of the many states that has set up No Drone Zones to ensure public safety and protection of one’s privacy.

This means that there are specific places where drones are not permitted to fly, including Louisiana state parks, military bases, nuclear power plants, and within five miles of an airport.

In Louisiana specifically, it is illegal to operate a drone in any facility where prohibited or restricted activity could occur and interfere with the Department of Homeland Security-induced airspace restrictions.

The Louisiana Legislature ensured these regulations exist to protect its citizens from becoming victims of spying or air space violations while providing citizens with access to innovative technology and recreational activities.

How to know about No Drone Zones?

You can find out about No Drone Zones in your area by checking with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and your state government. The FAA website provides detailed information on federal regulations for drones and a list of approved locations where drones may be used.

Your state government is also likely to have its own set of regulations regarding when and where you can fly drones. Local ordinances may restrict drone use near populated areas or sensitive sites, so it’s important to check with local authorities before flying a drone in any given area.

B4UFLY App

The Federal Aviation Administration’s B4UFLY App helps unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) users understand where they can operate in the National Airspace System safely and efficiently.

Used alongside the FAA’s UAS Facility Maps, this user-friendly app provides an up-to-date look at current airspace restrictions to aid users in navigating their local areas and avoiding restricted airspace.

The feature-filled app also allows users to monitor changing laws over time, view contact information for FAA-designated US Flight Airspace Regions and FSDOs, request authorization for temporary flight restrictions, plan routes, save flight locations for future use, and gain access to additional resources about UAS flying.

This helpful tool is a great resource for UAS operators of all experience levels to enjoy a worry-free experience.

FAQs

Conclusion

Louisiana has its own set of drone regulations that must be followed to operate a drone safely and legally. Always remember to register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds, follow the safety protocol regulations as laid out by the FAA, and always respect the privacy of others while flying.

It is important to note that failure to comply with these rules may result in the seizure of your drone, fines, or even imprisonment. 

Flying a drone is a great way to get around and see the world from a new perspective. However, it is important to remember that there are laws in place that you must follow to stay safe and legal.

Be sure to register your drone with the FAA and get a license if you plan on flying commercially. And always be sure to respect other people’s privacy when operating your drone.

I hope this information was helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to comment and share. Thank you for reading.