Part 107 in Maine: Acadia and Coastal Fog
Maine's best-known coastline includes Acadia National Park, where drones are banned, and fog that can drop visibility below Part 107's 3-mile minimum.
Maine's coast is a magnet for drone photography, and two things get in the way. Acadia National Park, the state's most famous stretch of coastline, prohibits drones. And coastal fog can roll in fast enough to take visibility below the 3 statute mile minimum Part 107 requires.
This guide focuses on what makes flying in Maine different. State and local rules on privacy, trespass and parks still apply, and the Part 107 rules apply everywhere.
Can you fly in Acadia?
Generally no. Acadia National Park is a National Park Service unit. Under National Park Service Policy Memorandum 14-05, park superintendents use 36 CFR 1.5 to prohibit launching, landing or operating drones on park lands and waters, with limited exceptions; see the NPS policy. A Part 107 certificate does not change that.
How does coastal fog affect Part 107 flights?
§107.51 requires 3 statute miles of flight visibility from your control station and 500 feet below clouds. Fog banks can cover a harbor while the nearest METAR still reads clear. Watch the horizon, and read the cloud clearance post for how low layers cap altitude.
What federal airspace matters most in Maine?
Portland and Bangor have Class C airspace. Get authorization through LAANC where required.
What this means for the exam
Maine-specific rules are not on the FAA knowledge test, which covers federal rules only. The federal topics here, airspace authorization, restricted areas, weather limits and performance, are.
Other states are compared in the state drone laws guide.
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