Maine state law: aircraft and drone noise

Manned aircraft operations and airspace use are exclusively federally preempted under the Federal Aviation Act (49 U.S.C. Section 40103 'Sovereignty and use of airspace'), so Maine cannot regulate aircraft noise from fixed-wing planes or helicopters in flight; airport-curfew rules at municipal airports must be approved under FAA Part 161. For unmanned aircraft systems (drones), Maine has enacted 25 MRS Section 4501 governing law-enforcement drone acquisition and operation - warrant requirements, written-policy mandate via the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, prohibition on weaponized drones, and prohibition on surveillance of First-Amendment activity. The Maine drone statute does NOT impose a statewide noise rule, altitude minimum, or operating curfew on private and commercial drone users; those operators are governed by FAA Part 107 plus any general municipal noise ordinance not in conflict with federal airspace preemption. Drone noise that constitutes 'loud and unreasonable noise' may still support a 17-A MRS Section 501-A disorderly conduct charge.

Federal FAA enforcement (civil penalties up to $32,666 per drone violation; reckless operation can yield criminal prosecution). State drone violations under 25 MRS Section 4501 apply only to law enforcement. Disorderly conduct (17-A Section 501-A) is Class E.