Know Massachusetts and Rhode Island Drone Laws Before Launching

Ah, Christmastime. So you think you'll buy the little tikes a drone to fly around and spy on the neighbors in their backyard? Think again.

Drone use has exploded in recent years for commercial and recreational purposes, not to mention the military, and with the popularity of drones comes a tightening of the rules that govern their use.

According to the website Drone Laws For a Safer Airspace, "Drone operation in Massachusetts is broadly governed by the Federal USA Agency responsible for drone safety, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)." The same applies to Rhode Island.

For details about FAA USA Drone Laws, visit the Federal Aviation Administration website.

The first thing to know is that all drones must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. Some drone pilots are required to obtain a license to operate.

The FAA says, "All drone pilots, new or experienced, benefit from rules and safety tips to help you fly safe." Those rules and safety tips are included on their website.

In addition to FAA rules, many states, including Massachusetts and Rhode Island, have adopted regulations governing the use of drones.

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Drone Laws For a Safer Air Space lists each state and its rules for drone use beyond what is required by the FAA. Massachusetts regulations are listed here, while those rules specific to Rhode Island are here.

The Drones World website says as of January 2022, the U.S. had "nearly 900,000 registered drones in its records. Around 340,000 of those are commercial ones, whereas more than 500,000 are recreational drones."

The site says, "Globally speaking, the consumer drone market has experienced game-changing innovations, an abundance of competitors, changes in prices," making drones more popular and readily available to the general public.

Drones make great gifts and have many personal and professional uses – but remember, there are rules, and failure to comply can result in the loss of your drone.