LegaltoFly

Can I fly a drone in Washington, DC?

Short answer · Not without permission

Generally no. You can't fly a drone in central Washington, DC without special permission, because it sits inside prohibited airspace (P-56) and on National Park Service land (White House).

Airspace at ground level
Class B
Nearest airport or heliport
George Washington University (24DC), 0.7 NM WNW
National Park Service land
Yes: White House
Special use airspace
Prohibited area P-56

For the center of Washington, from FAA data as of Oct 5, 10:04 PM CDT. Airspace changes block by block; check your exact address below, and check for temporary flight restrictions before every flight.

Check an exact address in Washington

Common questions

›Can I fly a drone in Washington, DC?

Generally no. You can't fly a drone in central Washington, DC without special permission, because it sits inside prohibited airspace (P-56) and on National Park Service land (White House).

›Do I need LAANC authorization to fly a drone in Washington?

Not in central Washington, which is Class G airspace. Parts of the city closer to an airport may be controlled; check the exact address above.

›Are there airports or heliports near Washington?

Within 5 NM of the city center: George Washington University (heliport, 0.7 NM WNW); Pentagon AHP (heliport, 1.7 NM SW); Whc (heliport, 2.1 NM NNE); Children's Hospital (heliport, 2.1 NM NNE); Medstar Georgetown Univ Hosp Helistop (heliport, 2.1 NM WNW).

›Do I need a license to fly a drone in District of Columbia?

For fun, you need the free FAA TRUST certificate and to register drones over 250 g. For any business use, you need an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Local parks may add their own rules.

Can I fly a drone in…

How the check works

We look up the airspace over your point at ground level. Class G is uncontrolled and needs no authorization below 400 ft. Class B, C, D and Class E surface areas around airports are controlled, and flying there needs FAA authorization, usually through LAANC (14 CFR 107.41). Temporary flight restrictions, prohibited and restricted areas, and National Park Service land each change the answer. Weather comes from the nearest airport report and the National Weather Service forecast for the exact point, compared with the Part 107 minimums and your drone's wind limit.

Recreational flyers follow the same airspace rules and also need the free TRUST certificate. Flying for any business needs a Part 107 certificate. Free Part 107 study guide.

Data sources

  • Airspace & special use airspace: FAA ADDS
  • LAANC ceilings: FAA UAS Facility Maps
  • Temporary flight restrictions: FAA TFR feed and NOTAM records
  • Airports & heliports: FAA NASR
  • METAR & TAF: NOAA Aviation Weather Center
  • Hourly forecast: National Weather Service
  • Park boundaries: National Park Service
  • Elevation: USGS 3DEP
  • Kp index: NOAA SWPC
  • Charts: FAA VFR Sectional & Terminal

All public sources, read live. Not affiliated with the FAA and not an approved LAANC provider.

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