The Federal Aviation Administration has banned drone operations in several areas of New Jersey until Jan. 17, citing “special security reasons.” The restrictions, effective Dec. 18, prohibit unmanned aircraft systems from operating within 1 nautical mile of specific locations.
The temporary flight restrictions (TFR) apply to:
The restricted airspace extends from the ground up to 400 feet, the maximum altitude for recreational drone operations under FAA rules.
Restrictions previously in place for Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal remain unchanged.
According to the FAA, drones that violate the restrictions may face severe consequences, including the use of “deadly force” if they pose an imminent security threat. Pilots operating in restricted zones risk being intercepted, detained, and questioned by law enforcement. Administrative actions, such as civil penalties, certificate suspension or revocation, and criminal charges, may also be pursued.
The restrictions were communicated through Notices to Air Missions (NOTAMs) and are visible on FAA resources like the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and B4UFLY app, which are popular with recreational drone pilots.
Drone pilots are urged to check FAA resources before flying to ensure compliance with the restrictions.
TFR list can be found here: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ drone operations banned in several towns by FAA