Baseline requirements
Federal Rules That Apply in Every State
These FAA rules apply everywhere in the United States. State law can add more restrictions, but it cannot replace the federal baseline.
Recreational flyers
- Register drones at or above 0.55 lbs with the FAA.
- Pass the free TRUST safety test before recreational flight.
- Follow FAA recreational rules, including visual line of sight and airspace limits.
Commercial pilots
- Fly for business under 14 CFR Part 107 with a Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Register drones used for commercial work with the FAA.
- Request LAANC or FAA authorization for controlled airspace operations when needed.
Always check before flight
- Review B4UFLY, TFRs, NOTAMs, airport restrictions, and Remote ID requirements.
- Stay clear of national parks, military areas, stadium restrictions, and other FAA-prohibited locations.
- Verify waivers or airspace approvals before operations that are outside standard Part 107 limits.
Federal resources: FAA UAS FAA Commercial Operators Part 107 Airspace Authorizations B4UFLY FAA DroneZone
State-specific rules
State-Specific Rules in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania follows federal FAA rules, but 18 Pa.C.S. § 3505 and § 7507.1 create specific exposure for drone misuse and privacy-invasive recording. Pennsylvania also broadly preempts local drone regulation, while park, forest, and hunting rules can add property-specific restrictions.
Key Restrictions
- 14 CFR 107: 400 ft AGL max altitude, VLOS requirement
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 3505: Unlawful use of unmanned aircraft includes private-place surveillance, operations that place another person in reasonable fear of bodily injury, and delivering contraband to correctional facilities
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 7507.1: Invasion of privacy can apply to photographing, filming, or otherwise recording a person in a place where that person has a reasonable expectation of privacy without consent
- 53 Pa.C.S. § 305: Pennsylvania generally preempts local regulation of drone ownership and operation unless expressly authorized by statute
- Philadelphia airspace: Class B airspace (PHL) requires LAANC authorization
- Pittsburgh airspace: Class B airspace (PIT) requires LAANC authorization
- Pennsylvania Game Commission hunting rules: Using a drone in any part of hunting, including tracking and recovery of game, is unlawful
- Pennsylvania state parks and forests: Site-specific rules or permits may further restrict launch, landing, filming, or other drone activity on Commonwealth land
- National Forests (Allegheny): Commercial drone operations on National Forest System lands generally require special use authorization
Permits & Licensing
Commercial: Remote Pilot Certificate (Part 107) required. Recreational: Register at faadronezone.faa.gov and pass TRUST test.
Project and permit planning
Insurance
Statewide requirement
No statewide commercial drone insurance requirement identified.
Public property / permit situations
Insurance may still be required by clients, venues, public-property permits, or local film and operations permits.
Practical takeaway
Verify local permit conditions before flight and confirm insurance language in every contract or venue requirement.
Official Resources
Federal resources: FAA UAS LAANC FAA DroneZone