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MN – Minnesota

Flag courtesy of Wikipedia

Palisade Head on Lake Superior was formed from a Precambrian rhyolitic lava flow

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

Minnesota government website just for reference.

Minnesota Legislature in case more laws were written since this book was published.

Map courtesy of Wikipedia

Google Earth

Last updated on March 2, 2025

Airspace

In addition to checking the FAA UAS Facility Map or B4UFLY or SkyVector or Google Maps one should consider also FAA JO 7400.10F – Special Use Airspace which is an order, published yearly, providing a listing of all regulatory and non-regulatory special use airspace areas, as well as issued but not yet implemented amendments to those areas established by the FAA.

Special Use Airspace consists of airspace of defined dimensions identified by an area on the surface of the earth wherein activities must be confined because of their nature, or wherein limitations are imposed upon aircraft operations that are not a part of those activities, or both. The vertical limits of special use airspace are measured by designated altitude floors and ceilings expressed as flight levels or as feet above MSL. Unless otherwise specified, the word “to” (an altitude or flight level) means “to and including” (that altitude or flight level). The horizontal limits of special use airspace are measured by boundaries described by geographic coordinates or other appropriate references that clearly define their perimeter. The period of time during which a designation of special use airspace is in effect is stated in the designation. All bearings and radials in this part are true from point of origin. Unless otherwise specified, all mileages in this part are stated as statute miles.

Restricted Areas: No person may operate an aircraft within a restricted area between the designated altitudes and during the time of designation, unless they have the advance permission of:

(a) The using agency described in § 73.15; or

(b) The controlling agency described in § 73.17.

These using agencies may be the agency, organization, or military command whose activity within a restricted area necessitated the area being so designated. Upon the request of the FAA, the using agency shall execute a letter establishing procedures for joint use of a restricted area by the using agency and the controlling agency, under which the using agency would notify the controlling agency whenever the controlling agency may grant permission for transit through the restricted area in accordance with the terms of the letter. The using agency shall:

(1) Schedule activities within the restricted area;

(2) Authorize transit through, or flight within, the restricted area as feasible; and

(3) Contain within the restricted area all activities conducted therein in accordance with the purpose for which it was designated.

For the purposes of this part, the controlling agency is the FAA facility that may authorize transit through or flight within a restricted area in accordance with a joint-use letter issued under § 73.15.

Prohibited Areas: No person may operate an aircraft within a prohibited area unless authorization has been granted by the using agency. For the purpose of this subpart, the using agency is the agency, organization or military command that established the requirements for the prohibited area.

Military Operations Areas: A Military Operations Area (MOA) is airspace established outside of Class A airspace to separate/segregate certain nonhazardous military activities from IFR traffic and to identify for VFR traffic where these activities are conducted. Activities. MOA’s are established to contain certain military activities such as air combat maneuvers, air intercepts, acrobatics, etc.

Alert Areas:  Airspace which may contain a high volume of pilot training activities or an unusual type of aerial activity, neither of which is hazardous to aircraft.

Warning Areas: A non regulatory warning area is airspace of defined dimensions designated over international waters that contains activity which may be hazardous to nonparticipating aircraft. The purpose of such warning areas is to warn nonparticipating pilots of the potential danger. Activities may be hazardous.

National Security Areas: A national security area (NSA) consists of airspace of defined vertical and lateral dimensions established at locations where there is a requirement for increased security of ground facilities. The purpose of such national security areas is to request pilot cooperation by voluntarily avoiding flight through the NSA. When circumstances dictate a need for a greater level of security, flight in an NSA may be temporarily prohibited by regulation under the provisions of 14 CFR Section 99.7, Special Security Instructions. Such prohibitions will be issued by FAA Headquarters and disseminated via the US NOTAM System.

 

 

Crewed Aircraft in your Airspace

CREWED AIRCRAFT

If you want to be informed about crewed aircraft flying in the vicinity of your drone operation, you can always check with apps like FlightAware or ADS-B Exchange

 

MNDOT

MNDOT

Start by checking

MNDOT UAS

 

Minnesota State Drone Statutes

243.552 UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE PROHIBITION.

360.012 SOVEREIGNTY; LIABILITY; EFFECT OF OTHER LAW.

360.013 DEFINITIONS.

360.075 VIOLATIONS, PENALTIES.

360.55 EXEMPTIONS.

360.59 AIRCRAFT REGISTRATION AND LISTING FOR TAXATION.

360.60 REGISTRATION REQUIRED; EXEMPTION; MISDEMEANOR.

626.19 USE OF UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES.

 

Local Ordinances and Policies

Anoka County Parks

ORDINANCE #2018-01 Ordinances Regulating the Anoka County Park System

Last Revised July 23, 2024 Adopted by County Board Action on July 23, 2024

 

Bloomington Park

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

 

Brooklyn Park

§ 95.04 REGULATIONS PERTAINING TO GENERAL PARKLAND OPERATION.

 

City of Arlington

City Code Chapter 15 Drones

 

City of Eagan

Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Drones in Parks

 

Dakota County

Ordinance 107 Park Use

 

Dayton

CHAPTER 95: UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES

 

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation

Drone Filming Permits

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Facility Rules and Policies

 

Mississippi River – National Park Service

Laws & Policies

 

Ramsey County Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation

2022 Ramsey County Parks & Recreation Ordinance

 

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office Policies

Policy 604 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Operations

 

Saint Bonifacius

Code Chapter 91 Drones

 

Three Rivers Park District

Drone Rules

 

 

University Drone Policies

Hamline University

St. Olaf College Drone Policy

University of Minnesota Drone Policy

Note: This list is just a sample… many more could be added.

 

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Regulations & Policies

2022 – Air Mobility Strategic Plan – scroll down page and download pdf

 

 

 

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) News

2024 – Minnesota Allows Flying Cars On Roads

 

 

 

Short Essay Questions

Question 1

You have been hired by a Drone Startup Company. Your boss has immediately assigned this job to you.

They need you to prepare a one-page memo detailing the legalities of filming wildlife at Palisade Head on Lake Superior, pictured above.

They need you to mention any state laws and local ordinances.

They specifically want to know what airspace (insert pictures) you will be operating in, and whether or not you need an airspace authorization, with or without LAANC capability.

Lastly, there is a bonus for you if, as you scroll through this chapter, you find any typos or broken links!

Question 2

Do the state drone laws implicate the First Amendment? If so, describe, citing the exact law.

Question 3

Do the state drone laws implicate the Fourth Amendment? Or involve law enforcement officers obtaining warrants? If so, describe, citing the exact law.

Question 4

Do the state drone laws contain a preemption clause? If so, describe, citing the exact law.

Question 5

Does the state have UAM/AAM laws? If so, describe, citing the exact law.

Question 6

Are you aware of any new laws or policies not mentioned above? If so, describe, citing the exact law or policy.

 

 

 

License

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Drones and AAM Across the World Copyright © 2023 by Sarah Nilsson is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.