Based on FAA, National Park Service and eCFR sources linked below, current as of November 2026. Rules change and local restrictions vary, so check an FAA-approved app before every flight. This is general information, not legal advice.
Quick answer: In most of the US you can fly a recreational drone up to 400 feet in uncontrolled (Class G) airspace, as long as you keep it in sight and stay clear of people and aircraft. You need FAA authorization (usually instant, through LAANC) near most airports. Drones are banned over stadium events, around Washington, DC, inside temporary flight restrictions, and from launching in national parks. Before every flight, open a free B4UFLY app; it shows all of these.
“Can I fly here?” is the question every new pilot asks. The answer depends on three layers: FAA airspace (the sky), temporary restrictions (events, emergencies, VIPs) and ground rules (who owns the land you take off from). This guide goes through each one. If you haven’t yet, take the free TRUST test and register your drone if required. Our Drone Rules hub covers both, and Start Here puts every step in order.
Step 1: Check the airspace with a B4UFLY app
The FAA’s B4UFLY service shows where recreational flyers can and can’t fly. Since February 2024 it’s delivered through FAA-approved companies rather than a single FAA app. The FAA currently lists Airspace Link, Aloft, AutoPylot, Avision, FlightLoop and UASidekick, all of which are also LAANC providers (FAA B4UFLY). The apps show controlled airspace, special-use airspace, airports, national parks, critical infrastructure and active TFRs, with a clear “OK to fly / not OK” indicator.
Step 2: Know the airspace types
| Where | Recreational flyers | Part 107 pilots |
|---|---|---|
| Uncontrolled (Class G) airspace: most rural and suburban areas away from airports | Allowed up to 400 ft above ground | Allowed up to 400 ft (or within 400 ft of a structure) |
| Controlled airspace (Class B, C, D and surface Class E) around airports | Only with prior FAA authorization (LAANC or DroneZone) and at or below the approved altitude | Only with FAA authorization (LAANC or DroneZone) |
| Prohibited and restricted areas (military bases, some government sites) | Not allowed unless the controlling agency permits it | Same |
| Washington, DC area (Flight Restricted Zone / Special Flight Rules Area) | Prohibited without specific FAA/security approval | Same |
Sources: FAA recreational flyers, 14 CFR Part 107, FAA: Washington, DC.
Flying near an airport: LAANC
LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) gives near-real-time authorization in controlled airspace at or below set altitudes. Those altitudes come from the FAA’s UAS Facility Maps. You request it in an FAA-approved app, often the same app you use for B4UFLY (FAA LAANC). If the grid square you want shows 0 ft, or LAANC isn’t available there, you’d need to apply through FAA DroneZone and expect a longer wait.
Step 3: Check temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)
TFRs can pop up anywhere: wildfires, presidential visits, airshows, space launches. The FAA prohibits flying over emergency and rescue operations such as wildfires and hurricanes (FAA airspace restrictions). Check the official map at tfr.faa.gov or in your B4UFLY app the day you fly, not the day before.
Stadiums and big sporting events: Drones are prohibited within 3 nautical miles of a stadium with 30,000+ seats, up to 3,000 ft above ground. The ban runs from one hour before to one hour after Major League Baseball, NFL and NCAA Division I football games, and certain major auto races (FAA: stadiums). For a beginner near a big stadium, that covers a lot of game days.
Step 4: Check who controls the ground
The FAA regulates the airspace, but the landowner decides whether you can take off and land on their property. Common cases:
- National parks: The National Park Service prohibits launching, landing or operating drones on NPS lands and waters without the superintendent’s written approval, under 36 CFR 1.5 (13.50 in Alaska) (NPS). That covers national monuments, seashores and many historic sites too.
- State, county and city parks: Rules vary widely. Some ban drones, some allow them in designated areas, and some require a permit. Check the park’s posted rules or website before you go.
- Private property: Get the owner’s permission to take off and land. Flying over other people’s homes can also raise privacy and nuisance issues under state law. See our drone privacy guide.
- Model aircraft fields: Clubs that belong to a community-based organization like the AMA often have fields where beginners are welcome. Some are FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs), where drones without Remote ID can fly (FAA: Where Can I Fly?).
Rules that apply everywhere
- Keep the drone within your visual line of sight, or have a visual observer standing next to you.
- Give way to all crewed aircraft, including medical helicopters, which often fly low.
- Recreational: 400 ft maximum in Class G. Part 107: 400 ft above ground unless within 400 ft of a structure.
- Don’t fly over moving vehicles or crowds unless your flight qualifies under the specific Part 107 rules for it.
- At night, your drone needs anti-collision lighting visible for 3 statute miles. See night flying rules.
More detail: US drone rules in plain English · the 400-foot rule · Part 107.
A simple pre-flight “can I fly here?” checklist
- Open a B4UFLY app at your exact launch spot. Is it Class G or controlled airspace?
- If it’s controlled, request LAANC authorization and stay at or below the approved altitude.
- Check for TFRs today, including stadium events within 3 nautical miles.
- Confirm the landowner allows drones (park rules, private permission).
- Check weather and wind. See drone weather limits.
- Carry your TRUST certificate (recreational) or Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107), plus registration if required.
