Washington, DC Drone Videographer and Operator

Indoor fly-throughs come first

The whole District sits inside the Washington, DC Flight Restricted Zone, so most of our Washington work is indoors. Fully enclosed indoor flights are generally outside FAA airspace rules, so we fly one-take fly-throughs with the owner's approval; see indoor fly-through tours. Hotels, museums, offices, convention spaces and event venues suit that approach. Our crew has flown more than 15 Charleston-area hotel fly-throughs for Vive Media and an indoor micro-drone fly-through of the Tempo by Hilton hotel in Times Square; see New York drone videography. Museums and federal buildings set their own filming rules, so we get the venue's written approval first.

Flying outdoors in the Flight Restricted Zone

Every part of the District lies inside the 15-mile inner ring of the Washington, DC Special Flight Rules Area around Reagan National Airport, the Flight Restricted Zone, which is national defense airspace. Outdoor drone flights there are prohibited unless the FAA and TSA issue a waiver through the Airspace Access Program, which requires an FAA Special Governmental Interest authorization, known as an SGI/COA, plus TSA security vetting, a client letter and law enforcement coordination. TSA asks for at least 15 working days for review, waivers normally last up to 30 days, and approval is case by case and not guaranteed. LAANC cannot approve these flights, and recreational flying is not allowed.

Tighter limits near the core

Most of the city lies within 7 nautical miles of Reagan National, where TSA also requires a government sponsor letter, limits commercial requests to the minimum scope, prohibits live broadcast of any kind and does not routinely approve purely promotional shots such as scenic vistas or virtual tours. Prohibited Area P-56 over the White House, the National Mall and the Naval Observatory is closed from the surface to 18,000 feet. The Washington Navy Yard, the Naval Research Laboratory and the Naval Observatory are federal no-drone areas, and Nationals Park is on the FAA stadium list, so the 3 nautical mile flight restriction applies from an hour before to an hour after covered events. On National Park Service land, including the National Mall and Rock Creek Park, launching or landing a drone is prohibited without the superintendent's written approval. The DC film office can issue an aerial support letter, but it cannot grant the FAA or TSA waiver.

Outdoor shots outside the ring

When a project needs open-air drone shots, we can often film them past the 15-mile ring, such as around Annapolis or Baltimore, where Part 107 flights are allowed under FAA rules with airspace authorization where required. Past 30 miles you are outside the Special Flight Rules Area entirely. For conferences, galas and events we film recaps, and for larger shows we send live drone feeds to the stream or screens; see live broadcast drones and concert and festival drones.

Credits

Charleston hotel fly-throughs for Vive Media, an indoor micro-drone fly-through of the Tempo by Hilton hotel in Times Square and FIFA Fan Festival Atlanta.

Related

Arlington, VA drone videographer | Alexandria, VA drone videographer | Baltimore, MD drone videographer | Annapolis, MD drone videographer | New York drone videography | Augusta drone videography (headquarters) | Lynchburg, VA drone videography (second location) | Live broadcast drones | Concert and festival drones | All locations

Nearby cities we fly

Richmond, VA drone videographer | Charlottesville, VA drone videographer | Wilmington, DE drone videographer | Williamsburg, VA drone videographer

FAQs

Can you fly a drone outdoors in Washington, DC?

Only with a waiver from the FAA and TSA through the Airspace Access Program, which needs an FAA SGI authorization and TSA security vetting. Approval is case by case and not guaranteed, and LAANC cannot approve flights in the Flight Restricted Zone.

Can you film indoors in Washington, DC?

Yes, with the venue's approval. Fully enclosed indoor flights are generally outside FAA airspace rules, so we fly one-take fly-throughs of hotels, offices, museums and event spaces.

Can you fly over the National Mall?

No. Prohibited Area P-56 covers the White House and the National Mall from the surface to 18,000 feet, and National Park Service land bans drone launches and landings without the superintendent's written approval.

Can you livestream drone footage in DC?

Not outdoors within 7 nautical miles of Reagan National, where TSA prohibits live broadcast of any kind under a waiver. Indoor livestreams with the venue's approval are planned case by case.

What insurance do you carry?

Our standard policy is $10M liability, with optional coverage up to $25M when a venue, league or network requires it. Certificates naming your venue or production are issued before the shoot.

Request a Quote

Tell us the date, location and what you need filmed. Request a Quote or call 706-284-8364.