Can my kid fly a drone in Plano, TX?

Short answer: Yes, with the same three steps every DFW kid needs: pass TRUST, register a 250-gram-plus drone, and check the map before takeoff.

Airspace near you

West Plano, near Addison Airport, is inside controlled airspace: your child needs FAA authorization through LAANC first, which can be approved up to 400 feet there. Central and east Plano showed no controlled airspace at ground level in our checks. B4UFLY shows which side your street is on.

Where to practice

Simulator first, then open land with no crowds. Check with Plano Parks and Recreation before flying in a city park.

Before the first flight, anywhere in DFW

1. Pass the TRUST test. It's free, online, and required by law for every recreational flyer. Carry proof when you fly. (FAA)
2. Register it if it weighs 250 grams or more. $5, good for three years. Owners must be 13 or older; if your child is under 13, a parent registers it. (FAA)
3. Stay at or below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, and keep the drone where you can see it. (FAA)
4. Near an airport? Get permission first. Controlled airspace needs FAA authorization through LAANC before takeoff. The free B4UFLY app shows what's around you. (FAA)
5. Know the Texas extras. Texas law bans flying under 400 feet over critical infrastructure, correctional facilities and stadiums with 30,000+ seats, and taking pictures of people or private property to surveil them. (Tex. Gov't Code ch. 423)

FAQ

• What if our house is in controlled airspace? Your child can still fly there after getting authorization through LAANC, an FAA system that often approves requests in seconds.
• What drone should a beginner get? Under 250 grams, prop guards and altitude hold. It's lighter, safer and doesn't need registering.
• Is there a minimum age? Not for TRUST. Registration is done by someone 13 or older.

Nearby: Flying in Frisco · Flying in Allen · All DFW cities