Flying in/near Richmond VA

Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Messages
9
Reaction score
3
Age
77
I'm somewhat new to the hobby with a P3P! I live in Brandermill and would like some advice about where to fly near me.
Can anyone please help and suggest where some good places to fly can be found?
Are state and county parks out?
 
Unless something has changed very recently, both Chesterfield and Virginia state parks are fine. I have attracted attention from park staff at state parks that did not seem particularly thrilled by my activities, but they were friendly and there were no problems.
Additionally, Chesterfield school property is generally not a problem while school is out.
If you have not already done so, check the online "do not fly here map". There is a fairly substantial restricted area around RIC and take care anywhere near Ft. Lee or the Defense Supply Center or any other military related facilities. If you fly anywhere near the county airport I would caution you that I often see small planes and military choppers flying much lower than you would expect even several miles out.
Unless you have an aversion to flying over water, I would think that the Swift Creek Reservoir would appeal to you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Voxx
Agree. The schools are prefect for another couple of weeks. I've flown at Harry Daniel Park, near the airport, and stay pretty low (under 100'). Not my favorite place to fly, though.

Great tip on the "do not fly here" map. Will check that out.
 
Evidently I was wrong about VA state parks. While flying at Pocahontas State Park this afternoon I was approached by 2 park police officers. To keep the story short, I was asked to stop and provided with a copy of the Virginia Administrative Code that reads as follows:

4VAC5-30-400. Aviation
No person shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to descend or alight within or upon any park, any airplane, remote control model aircraft, flying machine, balloon, parachute or other apparatus for aviation. "Voluntarily" in this connection shall mean anything other than a forced landing.

I had checked park rules in the past and did not find anything, but this rule is certainly displayed on the park website now.
 
  • Like
Reactions: JSKCKNIT
What I did was look at google maps. I looked for big fields such as farm land, and then looked for some place nearby where I might be able to park and fly. Then I drove over there and checked it out in person. I found a couple great spots that way.
 
Evidently I was wrong about VA state parks. While flying at Pocahontas State Park this afternoon I was approached by 2 park police officers. To keep the story short, I was asked to stop and provided with a copy of the Virginia Administrative Code that reads as follows:

4VAC5-30-400. Aviation
No person shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to descend or alight within or upon any park, any airplane, remote control model aircraft, flying machine, balloon, parachute or other apparatus for aviation. "Voluntarily" in this connection shall mean anything other than a forced landing.

I had checked park rules in the past and did not find anything, but this rule is certainly displayed on the park website now.
This post was very informative, I had flown in maymont in the past prior to today and no one had ever said anything about my drone usage. Today was different, a worker for the park told me that I was not allowed to fly due to animal safety and that I needed to land. I apologized stating that no signs were posted at the park or online and the before you fly app didn't have anything listed. of course I landed and packed up and found this post. I am going to e-mail maymont and ask if they add a link to their website to help better inform people.
 
Evidently I was wrong about VA state parks. While flying at Pocahontas State Park this afternoon I was approached by 2 park police officers. To keep the story short, I was asked to stop and provided with a copy of the Virginia Administrative Code that reads as follows:

4VAC5-30-400. Aviation
No person shall voluntarily bring, land or cause to descend or alight within or upon any park, any airplane, remote control model aircraft, flying machine, balloon, parachute or other apparatus for aviation. "Voluntarily" in this connection shall mean anything other than a forced landing.

I had checked park rules in the past and did not find anything, but this rule is certainly displayed on the park website now.
Well that sucks.....I was just checking AirMap and Swift Creek Reservoir looked like a nice place to fly.

I wish the state would modify this code allowing us to fly during hours when parks are underutilized.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
143,066
Messages
1,467,356
Members
104,934
Latest member
jody.paugh@fullerandsons.