People on the East Coast expressed concern this month after unidentified, mysterious drones flew over New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, but Oregonians are also wondering what could be in the sky.
Some drones, or multiple sightings from the same drone, have been spotted over military installations and other sensitive locations, such as President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Concerns about the drones led to an investigation involving multiple police agencies and even the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Newark, USA reported TODAY.
Law enforcement officials have said the drones do not pose a “known threat to public safety” and do not appear to originate from another country or foreign entity.
Still, some residents are concerned about the drones. The mysterious drones are not a reported problem in Oregon, but it may lead people to wonder: What are the rules for flying drones? Can you shoot down a drone?
CMR-D built a Qasef-1 Iranian Reconnaissance & Loitering Munition UAV for testing protection against drone attacks in Salem, Oregon.
Can you shoot down drones in Oregon?
No, shooting down a hovering drone is illegal nationwide. The FAA says shooting down any aircraft – including drones – is illegal.
Only law enforcement agencies can take action against drones, Ryan Calo, a law professor at the University of Washington and an expert on robotics, told USA TODAY.
Shooting down a drone can also be dangerous. The unmanned aircraft could crash and cause damage to people or property on the ground, or collide with other objects in the air. You could also be responsible for civil damages, Calo said.
Earlier this year, a man in Florida learned that after shooting down a Walmart delivery drone that flew over his house. He was charged with shooting at an aircraft, damaging more than $1,000 and discharging a firearm into public property or residence, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Read more: Drone sightings reported over New Jersey, now involving FBI. Here’s what we know so far
Are drones legal in Oregon?
Yes, drones are legal for recreational, commercial and public use in Oregon.
Most drone laws are federal. Commercial drone pilots or government employees, such as first responders, must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA and meet the requirements of the FAA’s Part 107 Small UAS Rule (Part 107). The FAA also has a list of the many airspace restrictions that apply to all drone pilots in the United States.
Recreational drone pilots must take the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test, follow the FAA rules for recreational model aircraft, and register drones if they weigh more than 0.55 pounds. They must also comply with line-of-sight restrictions and other regulations.
Additional laws apply at the state level. In Oregon, it is a crime to use a drone as a weapon; drones must be registered
Can I fly a drone in a national park?
Launching a drone is banned in most National Park Service states, including five of Oregon’s six parks. Operating a drone in a national park is a criminal offense.
National Park Service Policy Memorandum 14-05, released by the Director of the National Park Service in June 2014, directed each superintendent to use authority under 36 CFR 1.5 to prohibit the launch, landing, or operation of unmanned aircraft , subject to certain conditions and exceptions stated in the memo. With a few exceptions, this is still in effect.
Oregon Caves National Monument is one of those partial exceptions, allowing the use of drones with regional approval. To request a permit, contact the Special Park Use Coordinator at redw_special_use_permits@nps.gov.
Can I fly a drone in an Oregon state park?
The state is currently considering standardizing drone rules in Oregon State Parks. For now, these rules are the responsibility of each park manager, and the state encourages drone pilots to ask park.info@oregon.gov about the rules in individual parks.
Most local parks do not restrict drone use, but there are exceptions. The use of drones is prohibited in Portland and Metro city parks. Lane County Parks allow drone use with a special use permit.
Sources for Drone Information
One tool you can use when determining where to fly a drone is the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app or desktop site. B4UFLY provides an up-to-date map showing controlled airspace, restricted areas and temporary flight restrictions. More information about B4UFLY can be found here.
Other sites you can check out for information on drone regulations include UAV Coach and Pilot Institute.
USA TODAY reporter Jessica Guynn contributed to this report.
Alan Torres handles local government for the Register-Guard. He can be reached via email at atorres@registerguard.com or at X @alanfryetorres.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Drone Laws in Oregon: Is it Legal to Shoot Down a Drone?
