Drone Regulations
Drones provide a magical view of the world from above, yet the joys of flight must be coupled with adherence to drone regulations.
The Rollins Pass (Corona Pass) Road Status page as well as the Rollins Pass Maps page provide information on where motorized vehicles can and cannot drive on the pass and what current conditions look like. This page is similar: it provides information on flying drones on/near Rollins Pass. While it may not be updated as often, it does provide links to content that are always up-to-date. Drones or unmanned aerial systems (UAS) provide a magical view of the world from above, yet the joys of flight and flying a drone need to be coupled with adherence to regulations set forth by both the US Forest Service (USFS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The guidance provided below comes from multiple sources, including the USFS and the FAA. This page is not meant to be comprehensive, and you should always consult all official sources before launching your drone anywhere in the United States.
Pro Tip: Do not rely on your drone’s ability to tell you if you are allowed to fly at a particular location. Use Aloft Air Control (available for iOS, Android, as well as a stand-alone web application) or the FAA’s B4UFLY app (iOS, Android, or web app) before taking off to ensure the airspace isn’t closed by a TFR, wilderness, or for other reasons.
KNOW WHAT YOU NEED
In the event you are “ramp checked” by law enforcement or the FAA, you will need your driver’s license, Remote Pilot certificate (and proof of a recurrent exam within the past 24 months) or the TRUST certificate if flying recreationally, your aircraft’s registration, any airspace authorizations and/or waivers, including any OOP certifications. Also having a preflight checklist is a good idea to prove compliance with 107.15.
KNOW IF YOU CAN FLY
DRONE LAWS IN COLORADO
We recommend viewing this crowd-sourced page on Pilot Institute.
TFR
Never fly your UAS over or in close proximity to any fire operation (wildfire or prescribed). UAS flights over fire operations disrupt aerial firefighting operations and create hazardous situations. In fact, unauthorized UAS flights could lead fire managers and incident commanders to suspend aerial wildfire suppression operations until the UAS has left the airspace and they are confident it won’t return. Suspending air operations could decrease the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations; the effects of the lost aircraft airtime could be compounded by potential flames moving into untreated terrain. This delay could allow wildfires to grow larger with the potential to threaten lives and property. Suspended air operations could also delay transportation of firefighters to different locations and add to costs of fighting the fire. If you see smoke, assume that a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is already in place.
Most TFRs in the Rollins Pass area are for to provide a safe airspace for firefighting aircraft. Firefighting aircraft need a safe environment that extends well past the edges of a wildfire. Do not fly drones within a TFR: this means no recreational, commercial, real estate, or any other drone-related activities. Let these pros do their jobs without any interference from drones. If you fly, they can’t.
KNOW WHERE YOU CANNOT FLY
WILDERNESS
Rollins Pass is sandwiched between two congressionally designated wilderness areas: the Indian Peaks Wilderness, created in 1978, and the James Peak Wilderness, established in 2002. The Indian Peaks Wilderness is located north of the James Peak Wilderness.
Below is a map (north is up), from Aloft Air Control, showing wilderness areas shaded with light red. Per the USFS, “UAS are considered to be both ‘motorized equipment’ and ‘mechanical transport’ and, as such, they cannot take off from, land in, or be operated from congressionally designated wilderness areas.”
DRONES CANNOT BE USED FOR HUNTING
CPW Field Services Assistant Director Heather Dugan said the use of a drone for hunting is not only a violation of CPW Commission Regulations, but also a violation of the Federal Airborne Hunting Act. “The bottom line is, if it’s related to a hunt in any way, you can’t do it. For scouting, locating, anything. If they fly before they take an animal, they’re illegal. If they use the drone to locate an animal they may have shot and wounded, they’re illegal. If we can prove they used a drone to locate wildlife and then killed it, it would be an illegal possession of that animal. That could be a fine of up to $125,000. It just depends on the circumstances and range of what they’re doing.”
BE MINDFUL OF AIRCRAFT UTILIZING ROLLINS PASS AS A LOW CROSSING POINT ON THE CONTINENTAL DIVIDE
Despite the airspace covering the Rollins Pass area being Class G, fast-moving military jets, low-flying military and search-and-rescue helicopters, as well as general aviation airplanes transit and travel near and over Rollins Pass as it is a low crossing point along the Continental Divide. It is always imperative to follow the rules to look, listen, and yield to manned aircraft. In our experience of hiking on the pass, some aircraft fly well below 500 feet AGL (above ground level) and helicopters can land along and on the pass as part of carrying out search and rescue (SAR) missions. Firefighting helicopters can also scoop or siphon water from nearby lakes.
BE MINDFUL OF UNPREDICTABLE AND FAST-MOVING WINDS ON/NEAR ROLLINS PASS
Railroad workers more than a century ago consistently mentioned high winds on Rollins Pass. While winds at the surface may be calm, winds 200 feet off the ground can reach 93+ MPH. If you receive high wind alerts while flying, know these strong gusts exist.
RESOURCES, DRONE REGULATIONS, AND FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE FAA SAFETY TEAM
Drone pilots must have passed their TRUST test (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) or hold a Part 107 certificate.
B. Travis Wright is a DronePro Representative with the COWY (Colorado/Wyoming) FAA Safety Team and can assist with any drone-related questions you may have. Contact us.
The primary purpose of our work is to inform the public.
