Model Aircraft & Drones

Operating in Manassas Airspace

If you are operating a model aircraft or UAS/Drone inside the HEF airspace/SFRA, the FAA has the following guidelines:

• Register your drone
• Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles
• Keep your drone within your line of sight
• Respect privacy
• Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
• Never fly over groups of people, public events, or stadiums full of people
• Never fly near emergencies such as fires or hurricane recovery efforts
• Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Understand airspace restrictions and requirements

To determine if there are any restrictions or requirements at your location, please reference the B4UFLY app.

Information regarding the DC SFRA or FRZ procedures should be directed to the FAA System Operations Security Representative at the National Capital Region Coordination Center (NCRCC) at 9-awa-ats-ncrcc@faa.gov or by calling (866) 598-9522.

Fly for Work

If you have a Remote Pilot Certificate and are following part 107 rules, you must get permission from air traffic control to fly in the Manassas airspace.

Requests can be made by using the going to FAA's Drone Zone.

Fly for Fun

Recreational flying in the Manassas airspace is currently prohibited. In the future, recreational flyers will be able to obtain authorization from the FAA to fly in the airspace.

The FAA currently has a system called the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which is available to non-recreational pilots who operate under the FAA’s small drone rule (Part 107).

The FAA is upgrading LAANC to allow recreational flyers to use the system. For now, recreational flyers who want to operate in controlled airspace may only do so at the fixed sites. Recreational sites can be found on the FAA Drone Map.