ENID, OK - July 17, 2017 - Vance AFB has recently experienced several instances of unauthorized drone flights. These flights were in direct violation of federal (FAA) law and had the potential to threaten not only the flying mission of Vance AFB, but the safety of Enid residents as well. Vance AFB is partnering with the FAA, the City of Enid and the Enid Police Department to both increase local education on safe and legal drone operation and in increasing detection and containment of improper and illegal drone utilization.
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The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires all recreational model aircraft, “drone,” and quadcopter operators to contact the air traffic control tower or airport operator prior to operating their Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), within 5 nautical miles of an airport. Operators who violate the airspace restrictions may be subject to enforcement action, including potential civil penalties and criminal charges.
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To ensure the public is aware of these restricted locations, the FAA has created an interactive map online. The link to these restrictions is also included in the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app. Additional information, including frequently asked questions, is available on the FAA’s UAS website.
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Requests to fly a drone for recreational use within 5 nautical miles of Vance may be submitted by email to Vance.Drone.UAS.Request@us.af.mil or inquiries can be made by calling (580) 213-7820 for more information.
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Vance AFB has an area around it affectionately known as the "No Drone Zone" where all recreational UASs are restricted from operating due to safety concerns with routine flight operations. Recreational UAS operators flying between these hazard areas and the 5 nautical miles of Vance are allowed fly a recreational UAS up to 200 feet Above Ground Level (AGL) without interfering with Vance AFB flight operations. (Maps of hazard areas can be seen HERE)
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If you have a need to fly a drone within the identified hazard area or above 200 feet AGL outside of the hazard area but within 5 nautical miles of Vance you must get approval prior to flying. If you fly a UAS outside of the identified hazard area and below 200 feet AGL within 5 nautical miles of Vance it is still required for you to provide notification to Vance AFB at Vance.Drone.UAS.Request@us.af.mil.
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Commercial and recreational operators can request special permission to fly within prohibited air space by completing the form HERE. Not all requests will be granted. FAA link to UAS guidelines: http://www.faa.gov/uas/
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Enid Buzz will soon have a page of companies that can do the drone work for you if you are needing commercial services.
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