§39B Unsafe Operation of Unmanned Aircraft

Summary

Operating a drone that interferes with a manned aircraft or flying a drone inside a protected zone near runways without permission is illegal. You must not fly a drone in a way that knowingly or recklessly disrupts an aircraft carrying people if it creates an immediate safety danger to those people. You also must not, without authorization, fly inside a runway exclusion zone. A runway exclusion zone is a rectangle centered on an active runway with surface class B, C, or D airspace, extending 1 statute mile past each runway end and 1/2 statute mile wide. Breaking these rules can lead to a fine, up to 1 year in jail, or both. If someone recklessly causes serious injury or death while interfering with a manned aircraft, the jail time can be up to 10 years. If someone knowingly causes, tries to cause, or plans to cause serious injury or death while knowingly interfering with a manned aircraft or while flying inside the runway exclusion zone, the punishment can be a fine and imprisonment for any number of years or for life.