Xiomara Y. Guevara The Garden Island
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LIHUE — An illegal drone collided with a Canadian “Super Scooper” airplane while battling the raging Palisades Fire last week. The aircraft was grounded for several days forcing a pause in air operations, prompting an investigation by the FBI to find the operating pilot.

The Kauai Police Department (KPD) wants to remind the public of the importance of the guidelines and federal regulations for flying drones on the island of Kauai, according to a press release.

Permission from KPD is not required to fly a drone on the island; however, drone regulations are governed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that states all drones must be registered with the FAA.

It is imperative that every drone pilot is aware of the airspace and flies drones in a manner that doesn’t endanger the safety of others nor interfere with the national airspace system.

To ensure safe operations and public compliance with federal law, drone operators are encouraged to review the most frequently asked questions on operating a drone on the Garden Isle.

Q: Where can I find the rules for flying a drone on Kauai?

A: You can find the rules and guidelines on the FAA’s official website. Key resources include:

FAA Drone Zone: For registering your drone and managing operations.

FAA Recreational Flyers & Modeler Community-Based Organizations: For rules on recreational drone use.

FAA Part 107 Rules: For guidelines on commercial drone operations.

Q: What is recreational flight?

A: Many people assume that a recreational flight simply means not flying for a business or being compensated. But that’s not always the case. Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight is recreational or not. Before you fly your drone, you need to know which regulations apply to your flight.

Q: Are there any airspace restrictions I should be aware of before flying my drone on Kauai?

A: Yes, there may be airspace restrictions in certain areas of Kauai. To check for real-time airspace restrictions, you can use the B4UFLY App, which helps ensure you are flying within the allowed zones.

Q: What should I do if I have further questions about flying a drone on Kauai?

A: If you have specific questions or concerns, visit the FAA’s website for detailed information on drone operations.

Visitors from another country who are using a foreign-registered drone can visit www.faa.gov/uas/resources/foreign_operators.

Individuals violating any of the rules, and/or operating drones dangerously, may be subject to FAA enforcement action.