Oregon drone pilots can fly in controlled and uncontrolled airspace. There are different requirements depending on which airspace you fly in and where you take off and land.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is constantly engaged in efforts to promote the safety of the skies. This requires extensive planning and effective communication practices to keep all parties up to date on the latest rules and policy changes related to small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS). Despite the FAA’s overall control over all airspace in the United States, the public and state legislators have the authority to regulate specific areas as “No Drone Zones” for takeoff and landing locations within their respective states, counties, and cities. This has created some uncertainty regarding where drone pilots in Oregon can legally fly their aircraft while complying with the state’s drone regulations, which are not always well-known or understood.

Flying Drones In Oregon State Parks

At the time of this writing, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is conducting UAS Rule Advisory Committee process to help create the rules that will alleviate much of the confusion about which Oregon state parks are flyable and which parks prohibit drone operations altogether.

Oregon Drone Flying Resources

These resources below will help you determine where you can legally fly and if you need an authorization before doing so:

• Download FAA’s B4UFLY Mobile App, which provides real-time information about airspace restrictions and other information to help you fly safely
• Use the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) applications, which provide real-time information about airspace restrictions and near-real time airspace authorizations.
• Airspace 101 – Rules of the Sky
• Airspace Restrictions

Drone Mission Area and the Drone Flight Plan

Before planning an aerial drone flight in an unfamiliar take-off and landing location, consider the following pre-flight planning practice of conducting a property profile. The property profile is comprised of the these steps:

1. Identify Property Owner (Federal, State, County, City, Private)
2. Search for any laws, rules, mandates, that apply to your prospective aerial drone flight plan and the property flyover area.
3. If unsure, make every effort to contact the property owner/manager.
4. If unable to gain the information necessary for clearance, it may be your best decision to mitigate all potential risk due to lack of clarity and find a place to fly.

Where Can You Fly Your Drone In Oregon?

Commercial and recreational drone pilots agree that Oregon has many beautiful places to fly drones. In fact, here are just some of the most popular location areas:

• Abiqua Falls – This stunning waterfall located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains offers a picturesque setting for drone photography, with its moss-covered rocks and emerald-green pool.
• Alvord Desert – This expansive desert in southeastern Oregon offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to capture footage of remote wilderness areas.
• Bandon Beach – This iconic beach on the southern Oregon coast features stunning rock formations, dramatic sea stacks, and beautiful sunsets that are perfect for capturing with a drone.
• Cannon Beach – This picturesque beach on the Oregon coast offers dramatic rock formations, pristine sand, and stunning sunsets that make for unforgettable drone footage.
• Crater Lake National Park – With its crystal clear blue waters, towering cliffs, and snow-capped peaks, Crater Lake National Park is a must-visit destination for drone enthusiasts.
• Columbia River Gorge – Known for its stunning waterfalls, scenic vistas, and steep cliffs, the Columbia River Gorge is an ideal spot to capture panoramic views from above.
• Heceta Head Lighthouse – Heceta Head Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on the Oregon coast that offers stunning views of the surrounding ocean and rugged coastline.
• Hells Canyon – As the deepest river gorge in North America, Hells Canyon offers dramatic views of rugged cliffs, winding rivers, and remote wilderness areas.
• Hood River Valley – This scenic valley in the Columbia River Gorge offers views of orchards, vineyards, and snow-capped mountains, making it a great spot for aerial photography.
• John Day River – Known for its clear waters, rugged canyons, and abundant wildlife, the John Day River is a great place to capture aerial footage of Oregon’s wild side.
• Lost Lake – This remote lake in the Mount Hood National Forest offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, as well as the opportunity to capture aerial footage of a pristine alpine lake.
• Mount Hood National Forest – With its rugged terrain, alpine lakes, and dense forests, Mount Hood National Forest offers plenty of opportunities for aerial photography.
• Multnomah Falls – This iconic waterfall is a popular tourist destination that offers stunning aerial views of the surrounding landscape.
• Oregon Coast Trail – Spanning the entire length of the Oregon coast, the Oregon Coast Trail offers numerous opportunities to capture breathtaking aerial footage of beaches, cliffs, and sea stacks.
• Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area – Stretching along the coast from Florence to Coos Bay, the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area offers stunning views of wind-swept sand dunes and coastal forests.
• Painted Hills – Located in the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, the Painted Hills feature unique, colorful rock formations that are a favorite among drone pilots.
• Rogue River – This scenic river winds its way through southwestern Oregon, offering breathtaking views of rocky canyons, lush forests, and abundant wildlife.
• Silver Falls State Park – With its numerous waterfalls, lush forests, and scenic hiking trails, Silver Falls State Park is a great place to capture stunning aerial footage.
• Smith River Falls – Located in the Siskiyou Mountains of southwestern Oregon, Smith River Falls offers dramatic views of cascading waterfalls and rocky gorges that are perfect for drone photography.
• Smith Rock State Park – This popular climbing destination offers breathtaking views of towering rock formations, deep canyons, and winding rivers that are perfect for drone photography.
• Sparks Lake: Located in the Cascade Range, offers stunning views of Mount Bachelor and the surrounding wilderness.
• Steens Mountain – This remote mountain range in southeastern Oregon offers sweeping vistas of high desert terrain, including rugged canyons and rocky outcroppings.
• The Three Sisters – The Three Sisters are a trio of towering peaks in the Cascade Range that offer stunning views of snow-capped mountains and alpine forests.
• Timothy Lake – Located in Mount Hood National Forest, Timothy Lake offers pristine waters, dense forests, and scenic mountain vistas that are perfect for aerial photography.
• Toketee Falls – This beautiful waterfall in Umpqua National Forest is surrounded by towering cliffs and lush forests, making it an ideal spot for drone photography.
• Wallowa Lake – Nestled in the northeastern corner of Oregon, Wallowa Lake is surrounded by towering mountains, alpine meadows, and pristine forests that are perfect for drone photography.
• Yaquina Head Lighthouse – This historic lighthouse located near Newport offers incredible coastal views, including the surrounding ocean and nearby cliffs.

The Takeaway

The capstone of this discussion is to zero in on “the where” drone flight is permitted in Oregon. As of today’s date, we know that certain Oregon regulatory commissions are moving forward to better understand the industry in an effort to help coordinate and regulate which drone pilot is flying where, how high, how far, and when. For example, Smith Rock State Park rangers have expressed concerns with wildlife invasion and the increasing number public complains received some outdoor enthusiast consider drones flights in these park areas to be a disruptive annoyance.

While overwhelming positive public sentiment may still be a few years away, some of Oregon’s key influencers at city, county, and state level are now at work to help recreational and commercial drone pilots and the public at large more clearly define the boundaries of, “Where Can You Fly Your Drone In Oregon?”

Footnote On Public Sentiment: As is the case with any novel concept or innovation, achieving broader public recognition and global acceptance for drone flight will require effective communication and a significant amount of time.

In conclusion, while there is still some confusion and regulatory work being done, Oregon drone pilots can fly in controlled and uncontrolled airspace, and resources such as the FAA’s B4UFLY app and LAANC applications can help determine where it is legal to fly. However, it’s important to conduct pre-flight planning and be aware of local regulations, especially in areas such as state parks. With ongoing efforts by regulatory commissions, the boundaries of where drones can fly in Oregon will continue to become clearer.

Next article we focus on the difference between recreational and FAA Part 107 sUAS certification.

Be smart, safe, and forever fly!

If you have any questions, let us know! If you’d like to hire us, you can get more information here.

Written by: Tony Marino, MBA – FAA Certified Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot and Chief Business Strategist at Aerial Northwest

This article is intended exclusively for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.

Reference Resources

• Drone operations in Oregon state parks. OPRD.
• Drone Map Classification Criteria
• Drone Laws in Oregon

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