The popularity of unmanned aircraft systems — commonly known as drones — continues to grow, and the need to operate them safely is not just a matter of personal responsibility, it also is a matter of federal regulation.

That need is even greater when operators plan flights in restricted air space — like that found around the airports in the Houston area.

In an effort to help UAS operators both fly their aircraft safely and stay within parameters set by the Federal Aviation Administration, Houston Airports has put in place a page on its fly2houston.com website to provide both information and procedures for operators.

“The drone industry is growing rapidly and we need to work together to safely integrate drone operations into the National Airspace System,” said Steve Runge, the Division Manager for Safety & Emergency Management for Houston Airports, who has led the efforts to establish the web page and outreach to operators. “Drones are considered aircraft just like a Cessna or a Boeing 747 and the FAA has established specific regulations for their use, particularly near airports.”

Located in the “About Us” section on the website, the page provides information about FAA regulations, as well links that provide information on smartphone apps to help operators ensure they are not flying improperly in restricted air space.

The B4UFLY app and AIRMAP app provide easy-to-use smartphone apps that help unmanned aircraft operators determine whether there are any restrictions or requirements in effect at the location where they want to fly.

Notification of model aircraft activity within 5 miles of George Bush Intercontinental, William P. Hobby or Ellington airports is mandatory and can be accomplished using the Digital Notification and Awareness System in the AIRMAP app. The AIRMAP app not only tells the user where they are, it also allows them to notify the airport of their proposed flight. Operators will need to create an account to file a flight.

The B4UFLY app is an FAA product and can be downloaded from its website. Key features include:

• A clear "status" indicator that immediately informs the operator about the current or planned location. For example, it shows flying in the Special Flight Rules Area around Houston is prohibited.
• Information on the parameters that drive the status indicator
• A "Planner Mode" for future flights in different locations
• Informative, interactive maps with filtering options
• Links to other FAA UAS resources and regulatory information

There are generally three types of operators: Commercial, Public and Hobbyist operators, with specific regulations governing all three. Information on that can be found on the fly2houston.com page.

To learn more about regulations on flying an unmanned aircraft system, go to the FAA website.