Recreational drone use in Jefferson County follows FAA rules under 49 USC §44809. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) creates significant Class C airspace restrictions across much of Birmingham. No flying near Regions Field, Legion Field, or Protective Stadium during events. Ala. Code §13A-11-30 covers aerial surveillance invasion of privacy.
Recreational drone pilots in Jefferson County must follow FAA Part 107 recreational exception (49 USC §44809): FAA registration for drones over 0.55 lbs ($5, renewable every 3 years), TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) completion, flight below 400 ft AGL, visual line of sight, no flying over people or moving vehicles, and airport avoidance. Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM) generates Class C controlled airspace covering much of central Birmingham - pilots need LAANC authorization through apps like Aloft or Kittyhawk to fly within this airspace. Additional restrictions apply near Bessemer Airport (EKY), Shelby County Airport (EET), and Oneonta Municipal. Stadium TFRs under FAA NOTAMs cover Regions Field (Barons baseball), Protective Stadium (UAB football, UFL, World Games events), Legion Field, and Samford's Seibert Stadium during games (3 nautical mile/3,000 ft AGL restriction from one hour before to one hour after events). Birmingham parks including Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain, Railroad Park, and Oak Mountain State Park may restrict launch locations. Ala. Code §13A-11-30 (installation of eavesdropping devices) and §13A-11-32 (criminal surveillance) apply to drone-based privacy intrusion.
FAA violations: $1,000 to $27,500 per incident. TFR violations (stadium/event): federal criminal penalties. Ala. Code §13A-11-32 surveillance: Class A misdemeanor. Park violations: $50 to $500. Flying near airports without LAANC: federal prosecution.
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