If you witness a drone on or near Tucson International Airport (TUS) or Ryan Airfield (RYN), please contact the Airport Communications Center at 520-573-8182 with its last known location, approximate speed, and direction.

Any other drone sightings you believe are not following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules can be reported to the Scottsdale Flight Standards District Office at (480) 284-4450. The FAA’s investigators may investigate your report and follow up with the drone operator.

For flights near Tucson International Airport (TUS), drone operators must receive an airspace authorization prior to operation. Airspace authorizations come with altitude limitations and may include other operational provisions. Controlled airspace and other flying restrictions can be found on the FAA B4UFLY app or Visualize it: See FAA UAS Data on a Map.

Part 107 remote pilots and recreational flyers can receive an airspace authorization for altitudes below the posted UAS Facility Map grid altitudes automatically from a LAANC service supplier.

The FAA Drone Zone can also be used to request an airspace authorization. It is required to be used if any of the following apply:

• You want to fly in areas that are in controlled airspace and are not serviced by LAANC (the red grids on the UAS Facility Maps).
• You are flying under Part 107 and want to fly in a “zero” grid area or above a UAS Facility Map grid value.
• You have a waiver under Part 107 and want to fly in controlled airspace using the waiver.

Once you have received authorization from the FAA for a drone flight, please contact Airside Operations with your authorization number at 520-573-8190 to coordinate the flight.

Operating a drone on or near an airport is strictly prohibited without prior approval from the FAA and coordination with the airport (Airside Operations at TUS, 520-573-8190). Unauthorized drone operators may be subject to penalties and criminal charges.

If you will be flying within five (5) miles of the Tucson International Airport or Ryan Airfield, you must contact the Airport Operations Department to coordinate your drone flight.

• The FAA REQUIRES you to register your Drone if it weighs less than 55 lbs. FAA Drone Registry
• Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) FAA Advisory Circular 107-2A
• FAA Part 107 Fact Sheet
• B4UFLY Smartphone App

The FAA requires you to have a 333 Exemption and the accompanying Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (CoW/COA) to fly outside of standard regulations. Unless you have a specific COA that allows something different, some of the things you MUST do include:

• Operate at altitudes of 400 feet above ground or less.
• Maintain visual line of sight with your drone.
• See and avoid manned aircraft.
• Have your COA or CoW with you when operating a sUAS.
• Must check NOTAMS and TFRs before flight operations.
• Consider a Letter of Agreement (LOA) for recurring or long-term operations.