FAA Warns Drones to Stay Away From World Series

As MetLife Stadium – home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants  – announces that it will implement a drone detection system, the FAA is reminding drone pilots to avoid the airspace over Minute Maid Park in Houston and the Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. as they host the World Series. Nationals Park is in a Flight Restricted Zone: Minute Maid Park will be a “No-Drone Zone” from an hour before to an hour after all games held at the park.

Drones over stadiums is a complex issue: while uninvited drones just anxious to get a good look can cause safety issues or disruptions in play, drones have the potential at major stadiums to take official footage or to provide valuable security.

From the FAA:

WASHINGTON – For the safety of baseball fans attending the World Series, the Federal Aviation Administration has established a No Drone Zone for all games played at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

The airspace above Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., is already off limits to drones since it is within the Flight-Restricted Zone, which has been in place since Sept. 11, 2001.

The No Drone Zone in Houston is a three-nautical-mile ring with the stadium in the center, rising from the ground up to 1,000 feet. It will be in effect from one hour before to one hour after all games at Minute Maid Park.

The FAA, in partnership with local, state and federal law enforcement, will actively look for illegal drone operators at and around both stadiums. Violators could face civil penalties exceeding $30,000 and potential criminal prosecution.

Drone pilots should check the FAA’s B4UFLY app to determine when and where they can safely fly.

Learn more at the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems website.