Recreational drone flight in New Castle County is governed by FAA rules (49 USC §44809 Recreational Exception) with Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation rules for state parks. New Castle County has no countywide drone ordinance but prohibits launches from county parks without permission. FAA TRUST test and registration required; 5-mile airport notice applies to Wilmington Airport (ILG), New Castle Airport, and Summit Airport.
Recreational drone operation in New Castle County is primarily federally regulated under the FAA's Recreational Exception (49 USC §44809). Operators must register drones weighing 0.55 lbs or more through the FAA DroneZone, pass the free TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test), fly under 400 feet above ground level, maintain visual line of sight, and avoid interfering with manned aircraft. New Castle County itself has no comprehensive drone ordinance, but launches and landings from county-owned parks (Bellevue State Park is state-run; Carousel Park, Glasgow Park, and county riverfront properties are NCC-run) are prohibited without a special use permit through NCC Parks and Recreation. The county has three airports with controlled or restricted airspace: Wilmington Airport (ILG) in New Castle (Class D), New Castle County Airport (also KILG), and Summit Airport (KEVY) in Middletown. Flights within 5 miles require LAANC or FAA authorization. Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation prohibits drones in all Delaware State Parks including Brandywine Creek, White Clay Creek, Fort Delaware, and Lums Pond without a special permit (7 Del.C. §4701 et seq. and state park rules). Flying over people, moving vehicles, and stadiums is prohibited by FAA rules. Night flying requires anti-collision lights visible for 3 statute miles.
FAA violations: civil penalties $1,000 to $27,500 per incident. Flying in restricted airspace near Wilmington, New Castle County, or Summit airports: up to $32,666 civil, potential criminal. State park drone violation: $50 to $500 plus equipment seizure. County park violation: NCC Parks citation $50 to $200.
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