NOVA = No Drone Zone:Â The FAA has banned the use of unmanned aerial systems (Drones) within a 30 mile radius of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Â The radius extends out to the West to Ashburn, and South through most of Prince William County. Â The restrictions apply to FAA airspace which begins outside of shotgun range above your property. Â It is not clear what rights you have to prevent trespassing by drones on your own property.
The article I first saw this in identified Reston as the farthest reaches of the radius (it is well inside the radius). Â As a Restonian I find it quite humorous that the FAA issued a sign in Reston’s official “color…” Â Brown.
5 comments
If drones are outlawed, only outlaws will have drones.
Very funny. Sounds like a spoof: 8 year-old outlaws buzzing their neighbors and getting an FBI take-down.
This will put a cramp in retailers’ (i.e. Amazon) desires to use delivery drones here and in other parts of the country as more adopt similar policies. I don’t like drones, but I can see government using “safety” to ban them in just about every conceivable urban area. Perhaps Big Labor is flexing its muscle in the Administration to ensure drones don’t replace drivers.
Interesting observation. I had not even considered it. The ban applies to all major airports, but with smaller radii. Even with the smaller bans, large populations could be cut off from reasonable private sector commercial drone usage.
Tangential. As a former Lake Anne Restonian, I feel for you. We’d vote in primaries and when we’d ask for a Republican ballot the election officials in Reston would ask “Are you sure?” and then roll his/her eyes and give us a Republican ballot. I saw the tally once while voting and there were 250 Dem votes cast and about 20 Reps. We were outnumbered 10 to 1. Put out political signs (but strictly IAW both your HOAs’ guidelines) and annoy your neighbors.