FAA Expands Drone Restrictions Around D.C.

WASHINGTON (WJZ) -- Drones, remote control helicopters and planes were pretty popular gifts this holiday season---but WJZ has important information that drone owners of all ages need to know.

Derek Valcourt has more on the federal regulations and restrictions now in place.

Whether you're a teen or an adult, if you're not careful, your drone could get you into trouble.

Robert Burgee loves his high-tech drone.

"It's very fun, very addicting," he said.

Hundreds of thousands of them were given as gifts this holiday season---which could mean even more close encounters with airplanes and more security concerns with a drone recently landing on the lawn of the White House. That's part of why it's no surprise the drones are now regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration, which requires registration of all unmanned aircraft that weigh more than half a pound or cost more than $100.

"By creating this registry, now we have a direct link to every user which will allow us to do a tremendous amount of education," said former FAA administrator Scott Brenner.

Most drone owners know they're not allowed to fly higher than 400 feet---but many don't know there are certain places in Maryland you can't fly at all.

The FAA has labeled the entire city of Washington DC as a "no drone zone," but that ban on flying now extends into parts of Maryland with a "no drone zone" for everywhere within a 30 mile radius of Reagan National Airport. That means places like College Park, Bethesda, Silver Spring, Potomac and District Heights are all out of bounds.

Programmers are trying to create software preventing flying in no drone zones.

"We feel that there's only so much we can do to control the aircraft but then it's really coming down to education, what you should and shouldn't do," said Paul Pan, DJI.

For now, that leaves it up to people like Burgee to make sure they're flying responsibly.

"And if you just follow what the FAA has put out, there's going to be no problem," Burgee said.

The FAA is warning that police will be enforcing the no drone zones in that 30 mile radius around the district.

Other important drone rules: they must always be flowen within eyesight of the operator and they should never be flown over large groups of people.