Best places to fly drones in Florida
Florida has a lot of controlled airspace around its big metros, and every Florida state park bans drone takeoffs and landings. Your best options are county drone areas like Mango Park near Tampa and Bill Frederick Park in Orlando, Broward County parks, and the many FAA-recognized club fields. State law stops cities and counties from making their own drone rules, but they can still control takeoff and landing on their own property.
Cities
Top spots in Florida
Aero Modelers of Perrine Field
Bill Frederick Park Drone Zone
Biscayne National Park
Clay County Flyers Field
Everglades National Park
Fort Caroline and the Timucuan Preserve
Gateway RC Club Field
Hillsborough River State Park
Honeymoon Island State Park
Island Flyers RC Club Field
Little Talbot Island State Park
Mango Park Drone Park
Markham Park Airfield
Oleta River State Park
Orlando Buzzards Fort Christmas Field
RC Club of Jacksonville Field
RC Association of Central Florida Field
Tampa RC Aircraft Club Field
TORCHS RC Heli Club Field
Tree Tops Park
Triple Creek RC Club Field
Vista View Park
Wekiwa Springs State Park
West Hwy 46 Flying Club Field
West Pasco Model Pilots Field
Florida drone laws
- Fly under 400 feet and keep the drone within your visual line of sight.
- Recreational pilots must pass the FAA's free TRUST test. Drones over 250 grams must be registered with the FAA.
- Get LAANC authorization before flying in controlled airspace. Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville are all ringed by Class B, C or D airspace.
- Under Florida Statutes 330.41, the state preempts local drone rules, but local governments can still regulate takeoff and landing on property they own.
State parks
Rule 62D-2.014(15) of the Florida Administrative Code bans launching or landing aircraft, including drones, in state parks except at a designated landing facility or in an emergency. The Florida Park Service says no state park currently has a landing facility open to guests, so drones are effectively banned in all state parks, beaches included.
No-fly areas
- All Florida state parks, including state park beaches.
- National park units, including Everglades, Biscayne and the Timucuan Preserve in Jacksonville.
- Hillsborough County conservation parks, unless the department director authorizes it.
Florida drone FAQ
Can you fly a drone in Florida state parks?
No. Florida rule 62D-2.014 bans launching or landing drones in state parks except at a designated landing facility, and the Florida Park Service says no park has one open to guests.
Where can you fly a drone in Orlando?
Bill Frederick Park at Turkey Lake has a dedicated drone flying area run by the City of Orlando. There are also several club fields around the metro, like the TORCHS field in Ocoee and the Orlando Buzzards field in Christmas.
Where can you fly a drone in Tampa?
Hillsborough County's drone park at Mango Park in Seffner is built for drones and open sunrise to sunset. Club fields like the Tampa RC Aircraft Club field are other options. Hillsborough County conservation parks ban drones.