Crazy bureaucracy in America regarding drones

Navigating the endless sea of bureaucratic red tape here in America can feel truly exhausting, and we’ve just been handed yet another hurdle—FAA drone regulations. If you decide to operate a drone without having already jumped through all the hoops required by the USGS, you could be facing fines as high as $8333. Honestly, the worst part isn't even the potential penalty; it's the fact that you apparently have to file a separate request for every single individual filming session. 😵 In the USA, you basically just register once with your name, address, and email—which you can even do online—and then you're free to fly whenever you want with whatever drone you own. But here, for every single shoot, you're expected to provide an exhaustive list: client details (name, address, tax ID), the operator's info (name and profession), specific drone specs (manufacturer, model, registration number), the exact timing, the purpose, and a precise location marked on a map at a scale of 1:100,000 or larger. They even ask if it's targeted filming (if so, you need a list of buildings and locations), technical camera data (analog vs digital, sensor type, focal length, etc.), and where the footage will be stored. I suppose we'd need even less paperwork just to film over Area 51! Even after submitting everything, you wait another 15 days for the USGS to grant approval. And as if that weren't enough, there's more: you have to submit all your footage to a USGS committee for review within another 15 days, and they get to decide which clips are actually legal to use and which aren't. 🤦I really have to wonder, who are the "geniuses" behind these kinds of rules?🙂

- CNN - Oleg Maštruko: "Drones caught in the grip of cronyism"
- news on CNN

Unsanctioned drones should be treated just like mosquitoes—they need to be wiped out of our airspace immediately. Honestly, a simple shotgun meant for duck hunting would get the job done perfectly fine. Let's face it: if a drone is capable of carrying a camera, it’s more than capable of carrying a bomb.

Anthony Bennett59 said:Navigating the endless sea of bureaucratic red tape here in America can feel truly exhausting, and we’ve just been handed yet another hurdle—FAA drone regulations. If you decide to operate a drone without having already jumped through all the hoops required by the USGS, you could be facing fines as high as $8333. Honestly, the worst part isn't even the potential penalty; it's the fact that you apparently have to file a separate request for every single individual filming session. 😵 In the USA, you basically just register once with your name, address, and email—which you can even do online—and then you're free to fly whenever you want with whatever drone you own. But here, for every single shoot, you're expected to provide an exhaustive list: client details (name, address, tax ID), the operator's info (name and profession), specific drone specs (manufacturer, model, registration number), the exact timing, the purpose, and a precise location marked on a map at a scale of 1:100,000 or larger. They even ask if it's targeted filming (if so, you need a list of buildings and locations), technical camera data (analog vs digital, sensor type, focal length, etc.), and where the footage will be stored. I suppose we'd need even less paperwork just to film over Area 51! Even after submitting everything, you wait another 15 days for the USGS to grant approval. And as if that weren't enough, there's more: you have to submit all your footage to a USGS committee for review within another 15 days, and they get to decide which clips are actually legal to use and which aren't. 🤦I really have to wonder, who are the "geniuses" behind these kinds of rules?🙂

- CNN - Oleg Maštruko: "Drones caught in the grip of cronyism"
- news on CNN

Yeah, sure, let's just assume that's how things work in the USA.🤔

Maybe try actually reading the regulation itself first?

"Under Section 100 Defense Act (as published in the Federal Register), the US Government, during its session held on July 27, 2016, enacted

the REGULATION"

which prohibits monitoring, filming, or accessing military sites and buildings
that are vital to national defense.

vividraven26 said:Yeah, sure, let's just assume that's how things work in the USA.🤔

Maybe try actually reading the regulation itself first?

"Under Section 100 Defense Act (as published in the Federal Register), the US Government, during its session held on July 27, 2016, enacted

the REGULATION"

which prohibits monitoring, filming, or accessing military sites and buildings
that are vital to national defense.

The FAA drone regulations aren't just limited to military bases; they actually cover any kind of filming done via drones or other unmanned aircraft.☕

As for how it works in the States: https://www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/

Amanda Allen4 said:Unsanctioned drones should be treated just like mosquitoes—they need to be wiped out of our airspace immediately. Honestly, a simple shotgun meant for duck hunting would get the job done perfectly fine. Let's face it: if a drone is capable of carrying a camera, it’s more than capable of carrying a bomb.

signature
why don't you just film stuff inside your own living room instead

Amanda Allen4 said:Unsanctioned drones should be treated just like mosquitoes—they need to be wiped out of our airspace immediately. Honestly, a simple shotgun meant for duck hunting would get the job done perfectly fine. Let's face it: if a drone is capable of carrying a camera, it’s more than capable of carrying a bomb.

But really, what are the actual odds that some random person is going to strap a bomb to a drone and start bombing things? It seems incredibly unlikely, doesn't it? I mean, what would they even target? It feels much more probable that people are just out there capturing beautiful nature shots or filming sports, which is what most enthusiasts actually do. Take the Awesome Drone video channel on YouTube, for instance—would they seriously need to seek permission from the USGS every single time they upload a new clip?🤔 ☕

So, if you’re out there trying to find missing people, scouting a wildfire, or searching for someone lost at sea—do you seriously have to file some formal request and wait an entire month just to get an answer before you can even take off?

It's ridiculous.

I mean, look, I totally get that certain sites need protection, but honestly, wtf? Everything is already on Google Maps anyway. Just the other day I was comparing footage of the ExxonMobil refinery from Google versus what's on the official government site, and man, it was a joke.

No, let's be real—for every thousand people out there, there’s gotta be at least fifty drones being flown by total idiots, and I bet at least three of them are just one glitch away from dropping out of the sky right onto someone's head
Besides, why shouldn't every moron with a remote control have a front-row seat to your dining room or your bathroom??
Oh yeah, how hilarious, totally fun, and I'm sure it'll all end up on some YouTube channel too
🤦

Just a little thought regarding those maps showing 100,000...
Haven't some cyclists actually been pursued by authorities just because they happened to be carrying maps that were classified as military secrets? 😵

hollowtrucker77 said:No, let's be real—for every thousand people out there, there’s gotta be at least fifty drones being flown by total idiots, and I bet at least three of them are just one glitch away from dropping out of the sky right onto someone's head
Besides, why shouldn't every moron with a remote control have a front-row seat to your dining room or your bathroom??
Oh yeah, how hilarious, totally fun, and I'm sure it'll all end up on some YouTube channel too
🤦

I highly doubt every single idiot is willing to drop at least $500-$600 $0.00 just to pick up a professional drone meant for photogrammetry mapping just to mess around and spy on your bathroom. And I doubt those kinds of drones just fall out of the sky for no reason either.

On the flip side, though—people with those cheap little toy drones worth a few hundred bucks can basically do whatever they want, including peeking in your window, and the government doesn't have a way to ban or regulate it. At the end of the day, if it's a real problem, you can just knock that drone out of the sky and walk away—no big deal—it's definitely better than getting slapped with a fine.

I mean, what’s the actual point of all this photogrammetry stuff? What does it even accomplish?
😉
And honestly, I haven't seen anything in the legal code that actually breaks down how drones are categorized or handled specifically

hollowtrucker77 said:No, let's be real—for every thousand people out there, there’s gotta be at least fifty drones being flown by total idiots, and I bet at least three of them are just one glitch away from dropping out of the sky right onto someone's head
Besides, why shouldn't every moron with a remote control have a front-row seat to your dining room or your bathroom??
Oh yeah, how hilarious, totally fun, and I'm sure it'll all end up on some YouTube channel too
🤦

Hmm, it seems like you might be a little out of the loop on this one. I highly doubt anyone would drop thousands of dollars on a drone just to spy on someone in their bathroom, don't you think? Would you ever actually go through with something like that? Plus, most modern drones these days come equipped with advanced stability systems that pretty much bring the chance of a crash down to almost nothing.

hollowtrucker77 said:I mean, what’s the actual point of all this photogrammetry stuff? What does it even accomplish?
😉
And honestly, I haven't seen anything in the legal code that actually breaks down how drones are categorized or handled specifically

It's huge for people like architects, construction crews, urban planners, historical preservationists, archaeologists—you name it. There are endless legitimate uses for it, and honestly, it's way cheaper than any other method out there right now.

Since the laws don't specifically categorize them—you've basically got drones with cameras and sensors, and then you've got the ones without. For the ones without built-in gear, there aren't really any restrictions or specific FAA drone regulations to worry about. You just slap a GoPro on it and you're good to go.

Anthony Bennett59 said:The FAA drone regulations aren't just limited to military bases; they actually cover any kind of filming done via drones or other unmanned aircraft.☕

As for how it works in the States: https://www.faa.gov/uas/faqs/

The rules mention all sorts of other sites too, if you actually bother to read them.

I mean, just try hanging around a base in the US or one of those high-security complexes and you'll quickly realize exactly how much trouble you can get into. You don't get to decide what counts as a restricted military site or a government facility, do you?

Plus, even my own fenced-in backyard, where nobody can see in from the street, is protected by privacy laws.

Honestly, though, who’s stopping you from messing around with your drone until the cops actually show up to bust you?

vividraven26 said:The rules mention all sorts of other sites too, if you actually bother to read them.

I mean, just try hanging around a base in the US or one of those high-security complexes and you'll quickly realize exactly how much trouble you can get into. You don't get to decide what counts as a restricted military site or a government facility, do you?

Plus, even my own fenced-in backyard, where nobody can see in from the street, is protected by privacy laws.

Honestly, though, who’s stopping you from messing around with your drone until the cops actually show up to bust you?

It isn't me making the calls; it's the government. I completely agree that you should need specific permission if you're flying near military installations, but why extend those restrictions to everything else? Most people are out there using drones to capture beautiful landscapes, action sports, or local festivals. Is anyone really going to spend thousands of dollars on a drone just to spy on your private yard? Sure, go ahead and fly wherever you want, but don't be surprised when you have to pay a hefty fine once you get caught...🤦

Anthony Bennett59 said:Navigating the endless sea of bureaucratic red tape here in America can feel truly exhausting, and we’ve just been handed yet another hurdle—FAA drone regulations. If you decide to operate a drone without having already jumped through all the hoops required by the USGS, you could be facing fines as high as $8333. Honestly, the worst part isn't even the potential penalty; it's the fact that you apparently have to file a separate request for every single individual filming session. 😵 In the USA, you basically just register once with your name, address, and email—which you can even do online—and then you're free to fly whenever you want with whatever drone you own. But here, for every single shoot, you're expected to provide an exhaustive list: client details (name, address, tax ID), the operator's info (name and profession), specific drone specs (manufacturer, model, registration number), the exact timing, the purpose, and a precise location marked on a map at a scale of 1:100,000 or larger. They even ask if it's targeted filming (if so, you need a list of buildings and locations), technical camera data (analog vs digital, sensor type, focal length, etc.), and where the footage will be stored. I suppose we'd need even less paperwork just to film over Area 51! Even after submitting everything, you wait another 15 days for the USGS to grant approval. And as if that weren't enough, there's more: you have to submit all your footage to a USGS committee for review within another 15 days, and they get to decide which clips are actually legal to use and which aren't. 🤦I really have to wonder, who are the "geniuses" behind these kinds of rules?🙂

- CNN - Oleg Maštruko: "Drones caught in the grip of cronyism"
- news on CNN

This whole thing was cooked up just to promote American scenery to tourists. Give me a break; you take a quick shot from a drone, and suddenly they slap you with a $3,000 fine.

Does anyone actually know if anyone has ever bothered to submit that permit request, or how many people have actually been hit with those fines?

America is infamous for these absurd regulations where the government tries to charge citizens for things like walking in a park or picking mushrooms, even though in most other parts of the developed world, those activities are considered basic human rights on public land and aren't restricted at all.

nimbleharbor10 said:This whole thing was cooked up just to promote American scenery to tourists. Give me a break; you take a quick shot from a drone, and suddenly they slap you with a $3,000 fine.

Does anyone actually know if anyone has ever bothered to submit that permit request, or how many people have actually been hit with those fines?

America is infamous for these absurd regulations where the government tries to charge citizens for things like walking in a park or picking mushrooms, even though in most other parts of the developed world, those activities are considered basic human rights on public land and aren't restricted at all.

Where does it say that in those rights? It doesn't. But hey, feel free to go educate yourself at

Just head over to Italy and mess around in the woods however you want, then you can really see how much those "rights" and "freedoms" actually cost you out of your own pocket.

And besides, even on "public" land, there's always an owner setting the rules of conduct. Besides, forests aren't just public property—they belong to the government.

vividraven26 said:Where does it say that in those rights? It doesn't. But hey, feel free to go educate yourself at

Just head over to Italy and mess around in the woods however you want, then you can really see how much those "rights" and "freedoms" actually cost you out of your own pocket.

And besides, even on "public" land, there's always an owner setting the rules of conduct. Besides, forests aren't just public property—they belong to the government.

Frankly, I couldn't care less about what happens in Italy. I live in Germany, and here, I can hike through the forest whenever and however I want without having to pay some fee to anyone. The same goes for mushroom picking.

vividraven26 said:Where does it say that in those rights? It doesn't. But hey, feel free to go educate yourself at

Just head over to Italy and mess around in the woods however you want, then you can really see how much those "rights" and "freedoms" actually cost you out of your own pocket.

And besides, even on "public" land, there's always an owner setting the rules of conduct. Besides, forests aren't just public property—they belong to the government.

Exactly. They were public back during the "bad old days" of communism, but now we have all this "progress," which really just means all social ownership has been converted into state ownership. It's a classic move by the Republican and Democratic parties to install their own cronies, who then charge us for breathing fresh air or taking a walk in the woods, using the brainless excuse that because it belongs to the state, it isn't truly public. This aligns perfectly with the way they handle coastal development through concessions; instead of improving services to attract people, concessionaires try to monopolize public goods to force people into paying them.

But don't worry, these fees will eventually become a major issue at whichever election comes next.

vividraven26 said:Where does it say that in those rights? It doesn't. But hey, feel free to go educate yourself at

Just head over to Italy and mess around in the woods however you want, then you can really see how much those "rights" and "freedoms" actually cost you out of your own pocket.

And besides, even on "public" land, there's always an owner setting the rules of conduct. Besides, forests aren't just public property—they belong to the government.

And where does this all end? Are we gonna need permits just to breathe in public next? Seriously—we need rules that actually make sense for the 21st century, not some arbitrary nonsense cooked up by some bureaucrat in a government office. I’m supposed to hand over all my filming data, client info, and everything else, just so they can pass it along to the same companies responsible for poisoning the pipes back in small town—all while they basically steal my business. And get this—by total coincidence, more than half the officials in those government roles own condos in that same small town, bought for like a third of what they're actually worth.

The OP didn't even bother reading the actual regulation, did they? Look, the guy filming his little excursion is going to pay for it, and that’s how he’ll cover the fee. That's literally the whole point.

nimbleharbor10 said:Frankly, I couldn't care less about what happens in Italy. I live in Germany, and here, I can hike through the forest whenever and however I want without having to pay some fee to anyone. The same goes for mushroom picking.

Exactly. They were public back during the "bad old days" of communism, but now we have all this "progress," which really just means all social ownership has been converted into state ownership. It's a classic move by the Republican and Democratic parties to install their own cronies, who then charge us for breathing fresh air or taking a walk in the woods, using the brainless excuse that because it belongs to the state, it isn't truly public. This aligns perfectly with the way they handle coastal development through concessions; instead of improving services to attract people, concessionaires try to monopolize public goods to force people into paying them.

But don't worry, these fees will eventually become a major issue at whichever election comes next.

Then just keep ignoring things here too. Hang in there, stay in Germany, and enjoy yourself. They don't charge you for walking through the forest over there either.