While Super Bowl 50 will not kick off until February 7, 2016, Santa Clara is already taking precautions in anticipation: the city issued a new local law prohibiting drones from flying a half-mile over Levi’s Stadium (home of the San Francisco 49ers), the Santa Clara University stadium, and “within or over any sporting and/or large venue special event.”
The ordinance, which took effect September 19, 2015, specifies that a violation of this law will be treated as a misdemeanor, noting that the drone in question could be confiscated by local authorities.
Marking the first time since U.S. flight regulators have moved towards criminally punishing drone operators, the Silicon Valley city’s law is on top of an existing 2014 Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) No. FDC 4/3621.
The federal law reiterates an existing standard that forbids pilots of any aircraft from flying under 3,000 feet and within three miles of stadiums from NCAA Division 1 football, Major League Baseball, the National Football League, and car races.
The no fly area in California is deemed “national defense airspace” for one hour before and after events at these venues with 30,000 or more seating capacity. Santa Clara’s new regulation does allow “broadcast rights holders” of stadium events to enter the area via drone with permission.
“Tens of thousands of small unmanned aircraft are operating in the U.S. today and many thousands more will be sold in the coming months and years,” Ian Gregor, a Federal Aviation Administration spokesman said. “Since there are so many people operating models [unmanned aerial systems] with little to no aviation experience, the FAA has a number of educational initiatives with our government, industry, and model aircraft community partners.”
So if you’re planning on attending the Super Bowl, be sure to leave your drone at home.
Source: ArsTechnica
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