Recreational drone operators in Franklin County must register with the FAA (drones over 0.55 pounds) and follow 14 CFR Part 107 and recreational rules under 49 USC 44809. Portions of Franklin County fall within John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) Class C airspace, requiring LAANC authorization for flights under 400 feet AGL.
CMH Class C airspace extends roughly 5 nautical miles from the airport surface to 4,000 feet MSL, with an outer ring to 10 nautical miles up to 4,000 feet MSL. Drone operators must use LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) through apps like Aloft or Airmap to get instant airspace authorization. Rickenbacker International Airport (LCK) on the south side has Class D airspace to 3,500 feet MSL. Ohio State University Airport (KOSU) has Class D airspace. Columbus Metro Parks prohibits drone takeoff or landing on park property without written permission (Metro Parks Rule 705). Ohio has no statewide drone law preempting local rules. Recreational operators must pass the TRUST test and keep the drone within visual line of sight.
FAA civil penalties up to 27,500 dollars per violation. Unauthorized flight in Class C airspace: criminal referral possible under 49 USC 46307. Park violations: criminal trespass plus drone confiscation.
Franklin County, OH
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