Virginia is a fantastic place to fly drones. It has some great historical sites to view from above. And between the Blue Ridge Mountains, Chesapeake Bay, and large parts of the Appalachian Trail, it also has some beautiful views of nature.
In this article, we’ll give you our top 7 picks for places to fly drones in Virginia. But first, let’s go over the federal and state drone flying regulations, so you can be clear for take off.
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Drone Laws in Virginia - U.S. Federal Drone Laws
No matter where you fly drones in the U.S., you need to follow certain rules set out by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). For example, recreational pilots must pass The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and register their drone with the FAA if it weighs between 0.55 and 55 lbs. A UAV registration costs $5 and lasts for 3 years. Recreational flying rules include keeping your drone at or below 400 feet and, when in controlled airspaces, getting special flight authorization called Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC). You’ll want to go over all the rules before flying.
In addition to the above requirements, commercial drone pilots must learn the FAA’s Part 107 Rules for Small UAVs and pass an intensive Knowledge Test. But you only need this if you’re flying your drone for business purposes.
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.
Local and State Drone Laws for Virginia
Along with the federal flying regulations, here are some drone laws particular to the state of Virginia that you should be aware of:
- Spying on properties or people with your drone is illegal. And if you do, it’s considered a Class 1 misdemeanor.
- In some emergency circumstances, the fire department can control airspace, and you would need to comply.
- Finally, you need a special use permit from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to fly drones in state parks or any other land owned by the DCR. But only commercial pilots can request a special permit.
So there you have it—the main drone laws for Virginia. We also highly recommend checking the local drone flying regulations wherever you are. These can vary widely within the state, so it’s important to verify them to stay on the safe side.
That said, here are the best 7 places in Virginia for drone pilots to check out:
The Best Places to Fly a Drone in Virginia
Video Credit: Flying Ace Film
1. Richmond
We’ll start with the state capital—Richmond. There are so many great places to fly drones here. It’s hard to name just a few. But we recommend starting at the city center to fly over the Virginia State Capitol. It’s a beautiful white neoclassical structure built in 1788 that features impressive columns and a long front-facing staircase. From an aerial vantage point, you can get some great shots with the urban city in the background.
If you head further south in the city, you’ll reach James River. Launch your drone from anywhere along the bank for a great view of the rushing water threading through boulders and several bridges. You can also launch from Brown’s Island, which has nice open grass. It’s accessible from two different foot bridges.
To the west along the river, there’s a 100-acre Victorian estate and public park called Maymont. It’s got beautiful Japanese and Italian gardens with gazebos and an elaborate Gilded Age estate that make for some lovely aerial photography.
Finally, there are several parks in Richmond that make for excellent drone flying. For example, both Forest Hill Park (105 acres) and Bryan Park (262 acres) offer large open areas to fly, full of beautiful greenery and trees.
Be aware that some eastern portions of the city are located in Class C airspace due to the nearby Richmond International Airport (KRIC). To fly here, you’ll need LAANC approval. Also, to the north lies Richmond International Raceway, where temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are put in place during sporting events. Usually, this means you can’t fly drones in the area within one hour before or after a race or baseball or football game.
Video Credit: Cinerama Films
2. Virginia Beach
Next on our list we have Virginia Beach. It’s a vibrant coastal city located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. As the name suggests, Virginia Beach has 35 miles of beautiful coastline with a popular 3-mile concrete boardwalk. Here, you can get some great drone footage of the scenic oceanfront. Anywhere along the coast, you’re bound to find some great spots to launch.
Just stay aware of who’s around you. Virginia Beach is often crowded with lots of tourist attractions. And you’ll need to get LAAANC authorization before you fly since almost all the city lies within Naval Air Station Oceana Class D Airspace. The city is also near Base JEB Little Creek-Fort Story and Base NAS Oceana DET Dam Neck where flying drones is illegal. So you should always take extreme caution when flying.
Video Credit: James - BeBop
3. Williamsburg
If you want to fly in a historic colonial town, Williamsburg is the place to go. Located on the Virginia Peninsula, the city has a famous historic district known for its living-history museum. We recommend flying over the Governor’s Palace, a large colonial house where Thomas Jefferson once lived. It has beautiful gardens lined with paths that make great designs when viewed from above. You’ll also find plenty of other quaint colonial buildings spread throughout the city.
Williamsburg is in Class G airspace, so there are no special drone flying restrictions. Just note that the city is located near Colonial National Historic Park where drones are illegal.
Video Credit: James Edwards
4. Roanoke River
Roanoke River is a 410-mile long river that runs from southern Virginia into North Carolina and feeds into the Atlantic Ocean. You can launch your drone from several places along the river to get some beautiful shots of the flowing water surrounded by beautiful green forests. The river is in Class G airspace, so you’re clear for take off.
Video Credit: Oliver van Wincoop
5. Charlottesville
Charlottesville is another historic city that sits along the Rivanna River. It’s perhaps most famous for Thomas Jefferson’s plantation Monticello, just outside the city. This 2.6 square mile area is great for viewing from above. It features Jefferson’s beautiful neoclassical home and rich botanical gardens.
To the north of the city, you’ll also find the Rivanna Reservoir. Here, you can record the beautiful still blue water for some peaceful scenes.
Charlottesville lies in Class G airspace, but the University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium lies on the westside of the city. So check that no events are taking place. Otherwise, TFR will be enforced.
Video Credit: Obcemane53
6. Great Bridge Lock Park
Great Bridge Lock Park is a 19-acre island park in Chesapeake, VA. It includes a double-leaf rolling bascule drawbridge and an observation beam. Here, you can watch thousands of boats make their way into the Chesapeake watershed through a single lock. It’s a busy waterway that runs all the way from Maine to Florida. With your drone, you’re bound to catch some great shots of the passing boats.
The park is open during daylight hours all year round and admission is free. Plus, it’s in Class G airspace, so you don’t have to worry about getting special flight permission.
Video Credit: Clark Lupton
7. Lynchburg
Last on our list, we have Lynchburg. This city sits at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains which make a great backdrop to any drone photos of the city’s skyline.
The city also boasts a number of public parks and gardens. For example, Riverside Park is a nice 47-acre park overlooking the James River. You can capture some excellent drone footage of its train bridge that crosses the river. From there, you can fly over Percival’s Island Natural Area. It’s a beautiful oasis of greenery that splits the river.
You can also head west on the Riverwalk Trail to check out Hollins Mill Park for views of Blackwater Creek and the dam. Or go to Poplar Forest, another one of Thomas Jefferson’s retreats. It’s centered by an impressive octagonal building and has lots of surrounding fields and trees.
Lynchburg is in Class D airspace due to the Lynchburg Regional Airport (KLYH). So you need to get LAANC authorization before flying your drone here.
Connecting with Drone Pilots in Virginia
We hope you enjoy these places to fly drones in Virginia. If you want to connect with other drone enthusiasts in the area, check out the VIRGINIA Drone Club on Facebook or the Tidewater VA UAS/UAV Drone Users Club. Then you can learn about even more places to go flying in the beautiful state.
If you need professional drone services, The Drone Life can help. Our licensed commercial pilots have years of experience in conducting a wide range of professional drone projects. Whether you need to promote your business or perform an industrial inspection, we know how to get the job done. We’re happy to help you on your next project, too. Schedule a free consultation with us today.
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.
