Drone Advisory Council Proposes Modernizing Airspace Restrictions at Sporting Events

Council Recommends Creating Drone-Specific NOTAM to Limit Restricted Area

The Drone Advisory Council (DAC), a key player in the integration and regulation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) within the national airspace system (NAS), has released a report recommending significant changes to the current airspace restrictions at sporting events. The council suggests creating a drone-specific Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) that limits the restricted area to the immediate fence line of stadium properties.

According to Jon Hegranes, Executive Council of the DAC, “The current restrictions on drones around stadiums are based on outdated models that do not reflect the unique characteristics and safety record of UAS operations.”

The existing NOTAM for stadiums, originally designed post-9/11 for traditional aircraft, has been uniformly applied to drones, resulting in a restriction covering over 125,000 square miles annually and affecting thousands of legitimate drone operations that pose minimal risk.

Proposed Changes to Enhance Safety and Promote Equity

The DAC’s recommendations aim to reduce the controlled airspace from a 3-nautical-mile radius to a more precise and risk-oriented perimeter, effectively lowering airspace restrictions around stadiums by over 99% to just 11 square miles. This modernized approach is expected to enhance safety, simplify compliance, and promote equity by aligning the restrictions with the actual risks associated with drone operations.

The proposed changes also include establishing permanent digital data sets to improve the visibility and management of these restrictions, eliminating the need for real-time updates tied to specific game times or other fluctuating factors. This supports the FAA’s mission of safely integrating drones into the national airspace, fostering innovation, and improving public safety through advanced aviation technologies.

Collaboration with Stakeholders for Implementation

The DAC looks forward to collaborating with the FAA, Congress, professional sports leagues, drone operators, and other stakeholders to implement these changes and ensure that the skies remain a realm of opportunity for all. The full report, including detailed findings and recommendations, is available for further reference.

The Drone Advisory Council is dedicated to integrating UAS into the NAS by gathering and analyzing data, proposing solutions, and identifying the best outcomes for the broadest array of stakeholders. The council’s founding Executive Council includes experts from various drone-related organizations, such as Windsock ADM, Aloft, Influential Drones, the FPV Freedom Coalition, the Drone Service Providers Alliance, the Pilot Institute, and DRONERESPONDERS.

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