LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The familiar buzzing whir of airborne drones will become a lot more sparse in the skies over most of Las Vegas thanks to new rules implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The rules indicate they will no longer approve requests from recreational drone pilots to go airborne in controlled airspace, which includes most of the city, and instead confine all non-licensed drone flight in controlled air space to the Bennett R.C. Airfield in Southeast Las Vegas.
The rules were disappointing for drone enthusiasts who worried the small R.C. park wouldn't be able to accommodate drone traffic.
"We buy these expensive drones to enjoy," Johanna Jones said, "you're going to go to this place where 16 to 20 other drones are. It's just not fun."
Pilots can fly thier drones outside of controlled airspace.
Scott Burley, Professional drone pilot and owner of Alpha Drones, agreed with the new regulations saying they're designed to increase safety in the skies over metropolitan areas where planes and helicopters could come close to flying drones.
"It's a good thing for all of us," he said.
Though, Burley acknowledged there would be people who simply ignore the regulations.
"There's a few people who want to go fly and break the rules," he said, "they're going to do that anyway."
The new F.A.A. rules do not apply to trained and licensed drone pilots.
They can still apply for permission to take off in controlled airspace.
