A hiker's guide to drones and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a… drone?
Drones, also referred to as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), are growing in popularity. Their utility makes them incredibly handy for commercial and personal use alike.
Drones can be powerful tools for land managers. Photo courtesy of Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington (Flickr).
UAS and drone usage is facilitated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA policies outline rules and regulations for drone operations to integrate them into national airspace.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, drones are here to stay. Like any technology, they can be a useful conservation tool, and they can also detract from your experience if you encounter one on trail. Use this guide to learn the latest rules and regulations for drone usage on Washington trails before you leave for your next outdoor adventure.
Firefighters need clear airspace for to fight fires, so leave your drone at home near wildfires.
A tool for managing wildfires, search & rescue, aerial photography
Land managers are finding uses for drones in a number of contexts, including managing wildfires. Some land managers, like the United States Forest Service, can use drones to do reconnaissance to track wildfires. Sometimes land managers even use drones to ignite controlled burns.
Search and Rescue can use drones to cover ground quickly to find injured or lost hikers. Photo by Jefferson Ashby
Their mobility allows them to quickly cross terrain that would take someone on foot much longer to traverse. UAS aerial view grants a wider perspective than can be captured from land, and some drones even have thermal imaging cameras, which can identify hotspots from above that can be missed from the field. They can even assist in Search and Rescue missions for stranded or injured hikers.
These same features make drones a powerful and cost effective tool for wildlife research. Wildlife conservationists use them to browse habitat and capture data for wildlife surveys. A single drone flight can capture numerous data points in real time, saving pilots time and money. They can even be used to prevent and deter illegal hunting and poaching.
When paired with a powerful camera, photographers and cinematographers can use drones to capture stunning photo and video footage. Have you ever wondered how your favorite artist or influencer was able to capture hiking images from a bird’s-eye view? They’re likely using a drone.
How drones impact hikers, greenspaces
Drones help land managers and firefighters to combat wildfires, but they can also be an impediment to their efforts when in the hands of private users. Firefighters need clear airspace for planes, helicopters and drones of their own to fight fires. So, when unauthorized personal drone flights invade airspace near wildfires, firefighters ground all aircraft, wasting precious time and potentially allowing wildfires to continue to grow out of control.
Bald eagles use the same nest year-to-year. Please steer UAS clear of them. Photo by Dhanasekar Chellam.
While the use of UAS can be cost-effective for tracking wildlife, improper use of drones can harm wildlife. If a drone is flown too close to a nesting birds, it could cause a mating pair of birds to abandon the nest entirely. This is particularly harmful for protected species and species who return to the same nest year after year, like bald eagles. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service suggests pilots keep their aircraft away from active eagle nests during breeding season and notes “there is no known safe distance to observe eagles or their nests with drones.”
Drone disturbances aren’t limited to birds. The noise and interference they create can impact sea life, ungulates and other wildlife statewide. NPR’s Morning Edition shared a 2015 study suggesting drones cause bears and other wildlife stress. As recreators, it’s important we recognize our impact on wildlife can have deeper effects than we realize.
Private drone usage is usually felt by trail users, too. WTA recently partnered with researchers at the Pacific Northwest Research Station and the University of Washington to learn more about hikers’ ideas of wilderness. Not only does the presence of private drones impact hikers’ senses of awe, quietness, solitude and timeliness, but drones often invade the privacy of trail users as well. And, while there is nothing illegal about capturing media of others in public spaces, it certainly is not within good taste to do so without asking permission from those affected first.
Rules and regulations for Washington lands
REgistration
According to the FAA, all drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds (more than 250 grams) must be registered. They also must comply with Remote ID. Learn more about registering your drone here.
Wilderness areas
The Wilderness Act (signed in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson) established the National Wilderness Preservation System. There are 31 official wilderness areas in Washington and the private use of drones and UAS are prohibited within all of them.
Keep these wilderness rules in mind when learning the different land manager policies.
Federal lands
Washington state lands
- Washington State Parks
- Drone usage is allowed in Washington State Parks on a limited basis; a permit is required.
- Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
- Drone activity is largely not regulated on WDFW lands, so long as the drones adhere to FAA policies and keep their distance from animals. Drone operators are always encouraged to give wildlife ample space.
- Commercial drone pilots and/or drone pilots hoping to hunt should contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife directly.
- Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
- DNR does not impose any restrictions for private drone flights, so long as pilots follow existing FAA regulations.
- Pilots hoping to fly commercially should reach out to Washington Department of Natural Resources directly for commercial use permits.
Drones (and anything else motorized) are prohibited in wilderness areas. Photo by Luke Frontczak
City and county managed lands
Check with your local land managers for rules and regulations on lands managed by cities and parks. Here are a few places to help get you started:
- City of Seattle / City of Seattle Film and Music
- Bellevue Parks
- Snohomish County
- Pierce County
- Washington state capitol
- Eastern Washington University
- Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
Drones and UAS have proven themselves to be powerful tools for increasing access to green spaces for sustainable trail use, whether they’re used by land managers, wildlife conservationists, firefighters, artists or content creators. And, like any tool, they’re best wielded mindfully and only when and where appropriate.
Hoping to capture content with your own drone? Be sure to plan ahead to stay within the confines of the law and to be courteous of other visitors.