Southern Illinois Recreational Flying

[cory1768]

Anyone from Illinois having any issues with being able to fly in some of the very large state parks? I do my homework, have never taken flight until I get the go ahead. But so far out of the five state parks around me I get various answers of why I can't fly here. Their websites state nothing about drone use and they are not in any restricted airspace according to airmap. I honestly fell like I am getting the no answer because they don't 'like or understand' UAVs.

I do see any law or regulations from Illinois stating that I am not allowed, so I checked the DNR website, same thing no regulations or laws about drone use. At this point I always try to contact someone and a couple times I have received conflicting answers, one person says yes and the other says no its outlawed in all Illinois state parks.

I really don't want to do anything unlawful but its becoming really hard to find any place at all to fly. To the point where having a drone is becoming a paper weight, I guess that's what some people honestly want.

Does anyone have any tips or insight into what is in effect? I have adhered to all of the FAA guidelines and at this point I am trying to find a cool place to fly and not break any laws.


I apologize in advanced if this thread is somehow a duplicate, I tried searching and went through 9 pages and didn't find my answer.

 

[LarBear360]

Anyone from Illinois having any issues with being able to fly in some of the very large state parks? I do my homework, have never taken flight until I get the go ahead. But so far out of the five state parks around me I get various answers of why I can't fly here. Their websites state nothing about drone use and they are not in any restricted airspace according to airmap. I honestly fell like I am getting the no answer because they don't 'like or understand' UAVs.

I do see any law or regulations from Illinois stating that I am not allowed, so I checked the DNR website, same thing no regulations or laws about drone use. At this point I always try to contact someone and a couple times I have received conflicting answers, one person says yes and the other says no its outlawed in all Illinois state parks.

I really don't want to do anything unlawful but its becoming really hard to find any place at all to fly. To the point where having a drone is becoming a paper weight, I guess that's what some people honestly want.

Does anyone have any tips or insight into what is in effect? I have adhered to all of the FAA guidelines and at this point I am trying to find a cool place to fly and not break any laws.


I apologize in advanced if this thread is somehow a duplicate, I tried searching and went through 9 pages and didn't find my answer.

Flying in State Parks seems to be off limits around the country. I can feel your pain having visited Starved Rock many times while growing up in Illinois. That would be a cool mission! I only wish I had as much flat open land out here as you do.

 

[cory1768]

Yeah I knew national parks were out, which stinks but its alright. But the State parks aren't listed as no fly zones on airmap or anywhere that I can find. Interestingly enough a staffer from Starved Rock was the one who told me all Illinois State Parks are out. but in another conversation I had with someone at the Illinois DNR said they were allowed in Illinois and they would get me in touch with the local ranger for a park in another county I was looking to fly at. So I am not sure if even staff at parks and DNR are on the same page...

 

[LarBear360]

Yeah I knew national parks were out, which stinks but its alright. But the State parks aren't listed as no fly zones on airmap or anywhere that I can find. Interestingly enough a staffer from Starved Rock was the one who told me all Illinois State Parks are out. but in another conversation I had with someone at the Illinois DNR said they were allowed in Illinois and they would get me in touch with the local ranger for a park in another county I was looking to fly at. So I am not sure if even staff at parks and DNR are on the same page...

So out here in California it's technically legal, however, they left a loophole and that is the State Parks were legal unless the local superintendent says otherwise. And they all say no.

 

[cory1768]

So out here in California it's technically legal, however, they left a loophole and that is the State Parks were legal unless the local superintendent says otherwise. And they all say no.

Ah that is such a bummer, so many beautiful shots being missed.