CHAPTER 15: RECREATIONAL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS

Section

5-15-1 Definitions

5-15-2 Safety requirements

5-15-3 Reckless or careless operation

5-15-4 Restricted areas

5-15-5 Use by law enforcement/emergency services

5-15-6 Violation and penalty

§ 5-15-1 DEFINITIONS.

   For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings.

   FAA. The Federal Aviation Administration.

   OPERATE. To use, fly, launch, land, employ, control or engage the functionality of a UAS in any manner.

   TOWN AIRSPACE. Includes all airspace above the territorial boundaries of the town, to the full extent that such airspace can legally be regulated by the town.

   UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM (UAS). An aircraft, powered aerial vehicle or other device without a human pilot aboard, the flight of which is controlled either autonomously by onboard computers or by the remote control of a pilot operator on the ground or in another vehicle or aircraft, and all associated equipment and apparatus, used for a hobby or recreational purpose.

   VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT. The UAS must be visible at all times to the operator of the UAS, the operator must use his or her own natural vision to observe the UAS, and persons other than the operator may not be used in lieu of the operator for maintaining visual line of sight. The operator’s own natural vision may include vision corrected by standard eyeglasses or contact lenses.

(Ord. 21(2016) § 1)

§ 5-15-2 SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

   It is unlawful to operate a UAS within the town or in town airspace, except in conformance with the following.

   (A)   The UAS shall be flown below a maximum altitude of 400 feet above the ground.

   (B)   The UAS shall weigh no more than 55 pounds at the time of operation, inclusive of equipment, payload and fuel.

   (C)   The UAS shall be flown within the visual line of sight of the person operating the UAS.

   (D)   The UAS shall not be operated over any person not directly involved in the operation.

   (E)   The UAS shall not be flown near pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, roadways, parking lots, playgrounds, stadiums, sporting events, festivals or other open air assembly of persons, or areas or special events subject to an FAA notice of temporary flight restriction.

   (F)   The UAS shall remain clear of and not interfere with manned aircraft operations or other UAS.

   (G)   The UAS shall be operated during daylight hours only.

   (H)   The UAS shall not be operated from a moving vehicle or other aircraft.

   (I)   The UAS shall be operated in compliance with all applicable law, including any regulations adopted by the FAA.

(Ord. 21(2016) § 1)