Its very easy to get your hands on a drone these days. Countless companies are selling inexpensive drones to the masses. While they don’t have the range or killing powers of military drones they’re good for capturing incredible shots from the onboard camera. If you’ve been meaning to head down to the Yosemite National Park and get some great footage through an unmanned aerial vehicle bear are mind that drones are not welcome there.
Yosemite National Park released a statement yesterday claiming that drone use is illegal in the park. However, the regulation they cited doesn’t speak to the use of drones or any other model aircraft for that matter. A park press release stated: “the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Drones) are prohibited within park boundaries due to regulations outlined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). Specifically, the use of drones within the park boundaries is illegal under all circumstances. Thirty Six CFR 2.17(a)(3) states, “delivering or retrieving a person or object by parachute, helicopter, or other airborne means, except in emergencies involving public safety or serious property loss, or pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit” is illegal. This applies to drones of all shapes and sizes.”