WY – Wyoming
Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.
Photo courtesy of the CIA World Factbook
Wyoming government website just for reference.
The WYDOT has a WYDOT UAS Page.
Wyoming Legislature in case more laws were written since this book was published.
Last updated on April 3, 2024
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
Wyo. Stat. § 10-1-101
Definitions.
(a) As used in this act:
(i) “Aircraft” means any contrivance used, or designed for navigation or flight in the air, except a parachute or other contrivance designed for this navigation but used primarily as safety equipment;
(ii) “Airman” means any individual, including the individual in command and any pilot, mechanic or member of the crew, who engages in the navigation of aircraft while under way, and any individual who is in charge of the inspection, overhauling or repairing of aircraft;
(iii) Repealed by Laws 2005, ch. 207, § 2.
(iv) “Commission” means the Wyoming aeronautics commission;
(v) “Department” means the department of transportation;
(vi) “Aeronautics commission” means the aeronautics commission created by W.S. 10-3-101;
(vii) “Division” means the division of aeronautics within the department of transportation;
(viii) “Person” means individuals, associations of individuals, firms, partnerships, companies, corporations and other organizations;
(ix) “Operator” means a person operating or flying an unmanned aircraft;
(x) “Unmanned aircraft” means as defined in 14 C.F.R. 1.1, but excludes “small unmanned aircraft” as defined in 14 C.F.R. 1.1;
(xi) “Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft” means a piloted or autonomous aircraft or unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing and transfer to forward motion, excluding rotorcraft;
(xii) “This act” means W.S. 10-1-101 through 10-7-105.
Wyo. Stat. § 10-3-201
Powers and duties generally.
(a) The commission shall cooperate with:
(i) The federal aviation administration;
(ii) Any existing federal aviation commission;
(iii) The cities and counties in Wyoming;
(iv) The chambers of commerce, commercial clubs and all aviation and business concerns interested in the development of aeronautics within the state.
(b) In lieu of the requirements of this subsection, any airport sponsor may directly apply for, receive or disburse federal airport funds, and may also direct all construction and maintenance of the airport. The aeronautics commission may designate the airports to be built and maintained with the assistance of state or federal funds and is the sole authority to determine the disbursement of funds for the state’s airports. The aeronautics commission through the department shall be the authority in the state to apply for, or directly accept, receive, receipt for or disburse any funds granted by the United States government for airport construction or maintenance. A county, city, town or joint powers board may enter into an agreement with the division describing the terms and conditions of the agency in accordance with federal laws, rules and regulations and applicable laws of this state. The division may enforce the proper maintenance of these airports by the counties, cities and towns or joint powers boards as agreed in the contracts existing between the sponsors of the airports and the federal government. All construction and maintenance of these airports shall be under the direction of the department.
(c) The department may offer engineering or other technical advice to any municipality, county, joint powers board or other qualified party in connection with the construction, maintenance or operation of airports. The commission shall encourage:
(i) Development of private aviation schools;
(ii) Interest in private flying and privately-owned planes;
(iii) Study of aerospace engineering and allied subjects in the various schools of Wyoming and assist in forming classes in aviation;
(iv) Repealed by Laws 2003, ch. 104, § 2.
(v) Sponsorship and participation in aerospace education workshops.
(d) The commission shall establish policies as may be appropriate for the division to implement the decisions of the commission and the aeronautical purposes of this title and for the exercise of duties of the division. The commission shall provide assistance and advice to the director of the department regarding the division’s budget. The commission shall nominate candidates for the position of administrator of the division and upon request shall advise the department in regards to appointments within the division.
(e) The commission shall assist communities in coordinating efforts, facilitating, recruiting and attracting and promoting the development, improvement and retention of commercial air service and accommodating military air service in the state. The assistance may include studying airline, aircraft, unmanned aircraft and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft profitability, route analysis, air fare monitoring and recommendations for legislative changes to enhance air services in the state.
(f) There is created a new position in the office of the governor that shall coordinate with the commission to market and advocate airline service in Wyoming pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. The person appointed by the governor may be an at-will employee or an at-will contract employee and may be removed by the governor as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
(g) The commission may promulgate reasonable rules, regulations and procedures and establish standards as necessary to carry out the functions of the division.
(h) Repealed by Laws 2008, ch. 44, § 2.
(j) The commission shall promulgate reasonable rules governing where unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft may take off and land, giving consideration to public health and safety, aesthetics and the general welfare. Unless otherwise prohibited by or previously provided for in federal law, the commission may also promulgate reasonable rules governing the operation of unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. In promulgating any rules under this subsection, the commission shall coordinate with the appropriate industry in Wyoming and political subdivisions of the state. The commission shall not have the power to regulate unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft operation in navigable airspace.
Wyo. Stat. § 10-3-301
Conducting investigations and hearings; accidents to be reported.
The commission may conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings concerning the laws of this state relating to aeronautics and accidents or injuries incident to the operation of aircraft, including unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, occurring within this state. Members of the commission may administer oaths and affirmations, certify to all official acts, issue subpoenas and compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of papers, books and documents. All accidents or injuries incident to the operation of aircraft occurring within this state shall be immediately reported to the commission.
Wyo. Stat. § 10-4-303
Low or dangerous flight; landing on land or water of another.
(a) Flight of aircraft, including unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, over the lands and waters of this state is lawful unless it is:
(i) At such a low altitude as to interfere with the existing use to which the land or water, or the space over the land or water, is put by the owner;
(ii) Conducted as to be imminently dangerous to persons or property lawfully on the land or water; or
(iii) In violation of the air commerce regulations promulgated by the department of transportation of the United States.
(b) The landing of an aircraft, including an unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, on the lands or waters of another, without his consent, is unlawful, except in the case of a forced landing. For damages caused by a forced landing, however, the owner, operator or lessee of the aircraft or the airman shall be liable for actual damage caused by the forced landing.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (a) of this section, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent an operator or pilot from operating an aircraft, including an unmanned aircraft or vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, over his own property.
University Drone Policies
University of Wyoming UAS Policy
Note: This list is just a sample… many more could be added.
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)
2023 – 2023 END OF STATE SESSIONS REPORT: WYOMING AND UTAH
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 a promotional video for the Tourism Office at Canary Spring at Mammoth Hot Springs, pictured above.
They need you to mention any state laws and local ordinances.
They specifically want to know what airspace 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.
