Pennsylvania is full of exciting locations for drone photography and videography. Drone pilots will be thrilled by the stunning visuals they can capture, from the natural beauty of Lake Erie to the ingenious architecture of Rockville Rail Bridge. In this article, we outline the top seven best places to fly a drone in Pennsylvania. We also give a brief overview of what drone pilots need to know to ensure they’re flying safely and abiding by the drone rules in Pennsylvania.
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Drone Laws in Pennsylvania - U.S. Federal Drone Laws
What are the rules for flying a drone in Pennsylvania? This is an important question drone pilots must ask themselves before flying at any of the places to fly a drone we share in this article.
First, Pennsylvania drone pilots need to know that U.S. drone laws are established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and it is every flyer’s personal responsibility to know and abide by these laws. Drone pilots can familiarize themselves with these laws by visiting the FAA website, https://www.faa.gov/uas/. We’ll briefly go over the basics here, but we encourage further individual research before conducting your first drone flight in Pennsylvania.
NOTE: This article is purely for entertainment purposes only. It is the responsibility of the pilot to properly research, follow, and abide to all local, state, or federal aviation laws. FAA permission may be required for flight within these listed locations.
The FAA drone regulations establish parameters for recreational and commercial drone flights. A recreational drone flight is purely for fun or personal entertainment. A commercial drone flight is operated for a business or any form of compensation, including goodwill or other non-monetary value (including volunteer work or operations for a non-profit).
FAA USC 44809 Rule for Recreational Flyers
- Fly only for recreational purposes
- Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO)
- Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is physically present with you and in direct communication with you
- Give way to and do not interfere with manned aircraft
- Fly at or below 400 feet
- Obtain prior authorization using LAANC or DroneZone before flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and E)
- Pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of test passage
- Do not operate your drone in a dangerous manner.
FAA Part 107 Rule for Commercial Drone Flyers
- Understand the Part 107 Rules, which establishes in-depth operating rules for pilots flying small drones less than 55 lbs. for commercial purposes.
- Pass the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test to become an FAA-Certified Drone Pilot and carry proof of test passage
All drone operators must register their drone at faadronezone.faa.gov and follow the marking requirements for marking their drone on the outside with the registration number. The cost is $5 and the registration is valid for three years.
State Drone Laws in Pennsylvania
Beyond the FAA’s nationwide drone rules, individual states may establish additional laws for flyers to abide by.
Here are the state drone laws for Pennsylvania we were able to find through our research:
Title 18 Sec. 3505 – It is unlawful to operate a drone intentionally or knowingly to conduct surveillance of another person in a private place; to operate in a manner that places another person in fear of bodily injury; or to deliver, provide, transmit, or furnish contraband.
Rule for State Parks – The Pennsylvania Dept of Conservation & Natural Resources has established that drone use is prohibited at State Parks with the exception of six designated flying sites within the following state parks: Beltzville State Park, Benjamin Rush State Park, Hillman State Park, Lackawanna State Park, Prompton State Park, Tuscarora State Park.
NOTE: This article is purely for entertainment purposes only. It is the responsibility of the pilot to properly research, follow, and abide to all local, state, or federal aviation laws. FAA permission may be required for flight within these listed locations.
The Best Places to Fly a Drone in Pennsylvania
Video Credit: ALL in 4K
1. Philadelphia
Philadelphia offers urban skylines as well as natural landscapes (like the Schuylkill River) that make for amazing aerial drone footage. There are also historic sites like the Fairmount Dam and Benjamin Franklin Bridge that can add visual interest to your footage.
To capture these sights with your drone, you can visit the city’s many public parks. We recommend checking out Fairmount Park, Schuylkill River Park, and Penn Treaty Park to fly your drone. All of these parks are located in uncontrolled Class G airspace, so airspace permission is not required. Regardless, be sure to always abide by the FAA’s drone rules.
Looking for more places to fly a drone in Philadelphia, specifically? Read this article next: Top 7 Best Places to Fly a Drone in Philadelphia
Video Credit: JC Aerial Media
2. Pocono Mountains
The Pocono Mountains is a region in Northeast Pennsylvania known for its scenic beauty and many lakes, including Lake Wallenpaupack. With dozens of resorts and bed-and-breakfast stays throughout its quaint, historic towns, it is a popular destination for vacations year-round. If you’re visiting the Poconos, be sure to pack your drone! We recommend checking out the designated flying site in Beltzville State Park, situated in the southern foothills of the Poconos.
Flying a drone in the Pocono Mountains is legal and safe, as long as you follow the FAA rules and obtain airspace permission if you are flying in controlled airspace. However, you should avoid flying in areas of the region that are identified as part of the Big Pocono State Park. It is illegal to fly a drone within this State Park with the exception of its six designated flying sites. If you are staying at a resort, you should check to see if there are any rules on done use for that specific resort. For example, we found this ban on drones at Camelback Mountain Resort within the Poconos.
Video Credit: LancasterOnline
3. Lancaster
Lancaster is a Pennsylvania city full of historical landmarks, art, and culture. In a juxtaposition of scenery, you’ll find bustling city streets as well as peaceful open fields.
You can find space to fly at one of the city’s many public parks. We recommend Buchanan Park, home of the historic Liberty Bond House. Another great place to fly in Lancaster is the 544-acre Lancaster County Central Park. The park is home to many recreational facilities such as a pool, skate park, and gardens. You’ll want to avoid flying your drone over people in crowded areas, so take to the trails and open green spaces of the park to fly instead.
Video Credit: The Mind of Jae
4. Pittsburgh
There are multiple riverfront parks in Pittsburgh where drone pilots can enjoy recreational flying. Check out Southside Riverfront Park and Millvale Riverfront Park for those serene water views that make for stunning drone photos and videos. Unique to Millvale Riverfront Park is the view of the Washington Crossing Bridge that crosses the river. Both parks are located in uncontrolled Class G airspace, where you can fly without additional airspace permissions while abiding by the FAA drone rules.
Want to elevate your vantage point? Drone pilots will love the panoramic views of the city from Point of View Park in Pittsburgh. The park sits high on Mt. Washington and looks over downtown Pittsburgh. In addition to the views, the onsite artwork could also make for interesting drone footage. A bronze sculpture by James A. West, Point of View, depicts George Washington and the Seneca leader Guyasuta meeting face-to-face, representing a historical meeting that took place between the two in October 1770 while Washington was searching for land for future settlement.
Video Credit: fishyaker
5. Susquehanna River
Susquehanna River is the longest river on the U.S. East Coast, at 444 miles long. All along the way, there are dozens of great locations to take your drone and capture breathtaking visuals. The river flows from New York to Pennsylvania to Maryland. There are plenty of access points to the Susquehanna along the Susquehanna Greenway—a corridor of green space featuring parks, trails, gardens, historic sites, and natural features. If you’re looking for a place along the Susquehanna to take your drone in Pennsylvania, then check out the Watsontown River Bridge in Watsontown, PA. This bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is beautifully constructed with 9 open-spandrel arches.
Video Credit: Open Road Life
6. Erie
Erie, PA has a huge draw for drone pilots because of its location along Lake Erie, the fourth-largest lake of the five Great Lakes. Capturing footage of national landmarks such as the Great Lakes can be an exciting endeavor for drone pilots. Chautauqua Park sits on Lake Erie and is a great place to capture sunset drone footage. Other ideal spots for flying near Lake Erie include Lakeside Park and Liberty Park. Note that Liberty Park is located in controlled Class D airspace, so prior authorization through LAANC or DroneZone is required to fly there. Another enjoyable spot for drone pilots is Wintergreen Gorge. This nature preserve offers water views of Four Mile Creek and the Gorge overlook.
Video Credit: CM Stock Footage
7. Harrisburg
Completing our list of the best places to fly a drone in Pennsylvania is the state capitol, Harrisburg. Drone pilots will find ample opportunity for flying in Harrisburg at Wildwood Park—an incredible nature park with trails, boardwalks, lakes, and art installations. The Park has a 3-mile loop trail called “Wildwood Way Trail,” which intersects with a section of the Capital Area Greenbelt. Another popular location to fly your drone is Rockville Rail Bridge, which links Harrisburg with the west shore of the Susquehanna River. This amazing, 220,000-tons stone bridge is known as “the longest stone-arch bridge in the world.”
Connect with Drone Pilots in Pennsylvania
That concludes our list of the top seven best places to fly a drone in Pennsylvania. We hope you have found this list helpful. Be sure to practice safe flying while following the FAA rules while flying at any of the locations we’ve listed and, of course, have fun!
If you are looking to connect with other drone pilots in Pennsylvania, we recommend looking into the many online drone pilot forums and meetup groups online. Here are a few PA-based drone groups and associations to check out:
Additionally, if you are in need of a professional drone services provider in Pennsylvania to assist you with commercial drone flights, contact us at The Drone Life.
This article is purely for entertainment purposes only. It is the responsibility of the pilot to properly research, follow, and abide to all local, state, or federal aviation laws. FAA permission may be required for flight within these listed locations.
