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Flying legally in South Florida.

Most of it takes an evening: a free test, a $5 registration and a club. Here's the whole picture as of October 2026, with a link to every rule. It's a summary, not legal advice.

The FAA basics

  • Pass TRUST before you fly

    The Recreational UAS Safety Test is free, online and run by FAA-approved administrators, including the AMA. Carry proof when you fly; lose it and you take the test again.

    FAA: recreational flyers

  • Register anything 250 g or heavier

    Recreational registration costs $5, covers every model you own and lasts three years. Mark the number on the outside of each model and carry the certificate.

    FAA: register

  • Broadcast Remote ID, or fly at a FRIA

    A registered model must broadcast Remote ID, built in or with a module. The exception is a FAA-Recognized Identification Area, where you and the model stay inside the area and in sight. Several local club fields are FRIAs, which makes joining a club the simplest way to fly without a module.

    FAA: Remote ID and FRIAs

  • Stay under 400 ft, and ask in controlled airspace

    In uncontrolled (Class G) airspace the ceiling is 400 ft. Around Miami International and Fort Lauderdale you need authorization through a LAANC app first. Registered AMA club sites in Class G can now fly higher in daytime.

    FAA: airspace authorization

Florida law

Florida's statutes say "drone", and they define it as any powered aircraft without a pilot on board. That very likely includes your RC plane.

  • Stay away from critical infrastructure

    Flying over or interfering with power plants, water plants, ports, airports, prisons, military sites, cell towers and dams is a third-degree felony in Florida. Flying over a K-12 school is a misdemeanor.

    Florida Statutes 330.41

  • Don't film people's property

    Recording private property or the people on it with intent to surveil, without written consent, lets the owner sue. Point the camera at the sky, not the neighbours.

    Florida Statutes 934.50

  • Farm fields need the owner's OK

    Flying over land classified as agricultural without the owner's consent is a misdemeanor. That matters for fields on farmland, so fly where the club has permission.

    Florida Statutes 330.41

County parks

  • Miami-Dade parks need written permission

    County park rules ban taking off or landing any aerial apparatus without the Parks Director's written permission. Natural areas and the Deering Estate are off-limits.

    Miami-Dade Parks rules

  • Broward: fly at Markham Park

    Broward's model airplane field at Markham Park needs AMA membership, a park flying badge and club membership.

    Markham Park Pilots Association

  • Palm Beach allows most parks

    Recreational flying is allowed in most Palm Beach County parks, except the nature centers, Riverbend, Loxahatchee River Battlefield, Morikami and Juno Beach Pier.

    Palm Beach County Parks FAQ

Why most of us join the AMA

Full AMA membership is $89 a year for adults ($79 over 65, $20 under 19). It includes $2.5 million in liability cover and, with a club, access to chartered fields. The $52 Park Pilot tier covers models up to 2 lb and 60 mph with no combustion engine. AMA membership options.

Want help with any of it? We'll sit down with you, take the test, register and set up your Remote ID, then take you to a field.

Get help with the rules