A remote pilot plans to fly a small UAS over a national wildlife refuge to photograph nesting bird colonies for a client. What is the correct regulatory understanding of this operation?
- AThere is no Part 107 regulation prohibiting flight over wildlife refuges, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service voluntarily requests pilots avoid low-level flights that disturb wildlife, and refuge-specific rules may apply
- BThe pilot must obtain a Restricted Area authorization identical to military restricted airspace
- CUAS flights are automatically approved through LAANC for all wildlife refuge locations
- DFlight is strictly prohibited by federal aviation regulation over all wildlife refuges
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. There is no Part 107 regulation prohibiting flight over wildlife refuges, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service voluntarily requests pilots avoid low-level flights that disturb wildlife, and refuge-specific rules may apply
There is no blanket 14 CFR Part 107 prohibition on flying over wildlife refuges; however, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service requests voluntary compliance with minimum altitudes to avoid disturbing wildlife, and individual refuges may have their own specific rules requiring separate permission for UAS use.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Wildlife refuges are not designated as Restricted Areas under Part 73.
- C. LAANC only applies to controlled airspace facility maps, not refuge-specific land-use restrictions.
- D. There is no blanket FAA prohibition, though other agency rules may restrict access.
Wildlife Refuges and UAS Operations
Areas where the FAA has no specific airspace restriction, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and refuge managers may impose land-use or wildlife-disturbance rules affecting UAS.
- No dedicated FAA airspace classification for refuges
- FWS voluntary guidance suggests avoiding low-altitude disturbance of wildlife
- Individual refuges may require separate special use permits for drones
- Distinct from FAA-controlled airspace authorization requirements
Memory trick: Refuge = 'Respect the Refuge' even without FAA rule