I made a friend at the U.S. Forest Service today.

[IflyinWY]

We've been chatting about flying in the Bighorn National Forest. For those of you who are interested, I was sent a few links which are pretty informative.

The major concerns seem to be about harassing wildlife, and people. TFRs also became a serious subject. If there is a fire in the area, there is probably a TFR.

Within the Bighorn National Forest we have a "Wilderness Area", and at least one "National Historic Landmark".

The wilderness area is a forbidden area for anything but foot traffic. The regulations in place prohibit takeoffs and landings of any UAV within it's boundaries. This is nothing new.

The historic landmark is known as "Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark". I am told there are no regulations which prohibit flights at this location, which is currently under 5 feet of snow. Out of respect to the Native Americans, who as I understand it, consider this a "Sacred" site, I was told the federal government is trying add this location to the list of prohibited areas.

Here are the links I received today. I think I opened a can of worms and should have some more info next week. And by the way, I got nothing but cooperation and great help.

Know Before You Fly Unmanned Aircraft Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF5Q9JvBhxM&feature=youtu.be
and visit
http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

Policy for flying UAS over National Forest System lands
http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems/responsible-use

The difference between hobby, recreational, and commercial UAS use
http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems

Do you have FAA approval?
http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems

 

[GoodnNuff]

We've been chatting about flying in the Bighorn National Forest. For those of you who are interested, I was sent a few links which are pretty informative.

The major concerns seem to be about harassing wildlife, and people. TFRs also became a serious subject. If there is a fire in the area, there is probably a TFR.

Within the Bighorn National Forest we have a "Wilderness Area", and at least one "National Historic Landmark".

The wilderness area is a forbidden area for anything but foot traffic. The regulations in place prohibit takeoffs and landings of any UAV within it's boundaries. This is nothing new.

The historic landmark is known as "Medicine Wheel National Historic Landmark". I am told there are no regulations which prohibit flights at this location, which is currently under 5 feet of snow. Out of respect to the Native Americans, who as I understand it, consider this a "Sacred" site, I was told the federal government is trying add this location to the list of prohibited areas.

Here are the links I received today. I think I opened a can of worms and should have some more info next week. And by the way, I got nothing but cooperation and great help.

Know Before You Fly Unmanned Aircraft Systems
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF5Q9JvBhxM&feature=youtu.be
and visit
http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org

Policy for flying UAS over National Forest System lands
http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems/responsible-use

The difference between hobby, recreational, and commercial UAS use
http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems

Do you have FAA approval?
[URL='http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems[/QUOTE']http://www.fs.fed.us/science-technology/fire/unmanned-aircraft-systems[/URL]

Hey, I'm glad to see you recognize the Medicine Wheel as a sacred site. It is a very important place of power for the Crow, and symbolic to most of the western tribes. Please don't fly over it without getting permission from the tribal elders. I'm not even sure they would allow that. They might allow me to, but not sure how they'd view some random white guy asking permission. I'm a member of the Ute Tribe, born and raised on the Uintah-Ouray reservation in Utah.

 

[IflyinWY]

Thanks for your input GoodnNuff. Yep the Medicine Wheel is well known in these parts as are a few other places which may end up being no-fly zones.

We have some large, and very scenic Reservations in the area. I'm going to see what I can find out how the Elders feel about these flying machines. I may find out about a few more places which could be an issue.

 

[envisionabove]

Thanks for the Link from the other post I made... I bet quite a few don't know that flying in a National Forest is OK as long as your respecting the FAA guide lines. This was nice info for me thinking we could not. So many other things involved you just can't keep up with it all.

Again Cheers!
Tim

 

[Piankhi]

Good to know that Wilderness Areas are off limits. This is the first I've found out about it after having spent lots of hours looking into drone flying rules and regulations.