Florida enacts legislation safeguarding future drone ports

Florida has enacted legislation safeguarding future drone ports. Amendments to Florida's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act in 2023 prevent municipalities from discriminating against drone ports during permitting and approval processes. Specifically, local governments may not withhold a development permit, business tax receipt, or other use approval to a drone delivery service. They also may not enact or enforce ordinances or resolutions which prohibit a drone delivery service based on the location of its drone port. While municipalities retain the right to enforce general zoning regulations, this legislation removes key barriers to the development of drone delivery infrastructure. This is a step in the right direction as drone services have the potential to alleviate congestion, reduce pollution, and enhance overall transportation efficiency.

For information on drone issues and drone law reach out to attorneys Zaida McGhee and Tyler Hazen at dronelaw@angulomcghee.com.

Balancing Drone Proliferation and Public Concerns

Drone sightings in late 2024, especially along the East Coast of the United States, led to significant public apprehension and conjecture. People reported seeing drones over commercial and residential areas, critical infrastructure, and military installations. These incidents prompted investigations by several government agencies. Despite the alarm, thus far, public officials have consistently reported no evidence suggesting these were the result of nefarious activities, posed a public safety threat, or involved foreign entities.

Increasingly, drones are becoming an integral part of our daily life. There are now approximately one million registered drones in the United States split nearly evenly between recreational flyer registrations and commercial registrations. Thousands of drones are flown daily facilitating vital services such as bridge inspections and organ transplant delivery. Other drone flights taking place, such as package distribution, reduce congestion and pollution. Drones are also being used to streamline building, road, and railway inspections. The vast majority of these drone operations are conducted responsibly and within legal boundaries.

While vigilance regarding unauthorized drone operations cannot be taken lightly, it is crucial that drone flights continue expanding to ensure innovation, progress, and technical leadership. The future of flight is unmanned, and the United States needs to lead in unmanned flight as it did with manned flight almost 125 years ago.

For information on drone issues and drone law, reach out to attorneys Zaida McGhee and Tyler Hazen at dronelaw@angulomcghee.com.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR's) and Drone Operators:

Ignoring temporary flight restrictions during emergencies can lead to significant legal consequences, particularly when such actions interfere with emergency response efforts. The recent January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires serve as an example of how drone operators who disregard no-fly zones can disrupt critical operations, endanger lives, and face significant penalties.

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are at times put in place during emergencies like wildfires, natural disasters, and law enforcement operations to protect airspace and ensure that manned aircraft, such as firefighting planes and helicopters, can operate without interference. However, in the recent  Los Angeles fires, at least one drone operator ignored these restrictions, resulting in a collision between the drone and a firefighting plane. The plane, a “super scooper”, was damaged and had to be removed from operations at a critical time. The incident not only posed a severe safety risk to the crew of the plane but also delayed vital emergency operations, leading to increased damage and potentially lost lives.

The FAA can issue significant civil fines and certificate suspensions or revocations to drone operators who fly in restricted airspace during emergencies. In cases where the drone causes harm or obstructs emergency efforts, criminal charges may also be brought against the operator including reckless endangerment or interference with emergency services. These charges can result in imprisonment, probation, or a permanent criminal record. Additionally, under California Penal Code section 402, it is a misdemeanor offense in California to operate a drone at the scene of an emergency, including fire, for the purpose of viewing the emergency or the activities of first responders and impede with their operations.  Furthermore, operators may be held financially liable for damages caused by their actions, such as the costs of emergency delays, property damage, or medical expenses.   

The FAA publishes temporary flight restrictions on the FAA’s TFR list at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html. Click on the NOTAM column to get specific information regarding the TFR.  You can also find TFR’s through LAANC providers, and on the B4UFLY app.

For more information on TFR’s and UAS law generally see Drone Law by Attorneys Zaida McGhee and Tyler Hazen, published by Thomson Reuters https://store.legal.thomsonreuters.com/law-products/Treatises/Drone-Law-2024-2-ed/p/107067036. You can also reach us at dronelaw@angulomcghee.com