No Drone Zone – FAA Restricts Flights over Saratoga Springs
A map depicting the restricted air space over Saratoga (Created by Aidan Cahill)
It’ll be clear skies over the race track this Saturday. Not because of the weather but due to temporary flight restrictions imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The restrictions were announced Jun. 1 by the FAA in a Notice to Airman. The restrictions are in place during the Belmont on Broadway festival and the race itself and only affect aircraft flying 1,200 feet above the ground or lower.
During Belmont on Broadway, flight restrictions were imposed on two separate areas in Saratoga Springs. The first area covered was a half-mile radius surrounding the intersection of Broadway and Ellsworth Jones Pl. It was only during effect during the Belmont on Broadway.
The second area, meanwhile, is a half-mile radius from a point in center of the Saratoga Racecourse. This area will also go into effect from 12 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Jun. 6 and from 11 a.m. Jun. 7 to 3 a.m. Jun. 8.
According to Saratoga Springs Police, the restriction was requested by police out of an abundance of caution to prevent drones from interfering with the events. Police said this was the first time they had received the restricted airspace and there are no plans to request it for future races.
In a city council meeting on Jun. 3, Commissioner of Public Safety Tim Coll said commercial operators can get approval from the police and fire departments to fly their drones during the event. According to the FAA, of the over 1 million drones registered in the US, 420,825 are commercial drones.
A similar restriction was put in place surrounding Super Bowl LIX according to an FAA press release from January.
The 1,200 feet restriction is less than the height of the Empire State Building at 1,250 feet. It’s well below the cruising altitudes of common aircraft such as the Boeing 737 at around 35,000 feet and Cessna Skyhawk which can fly as high as 14,000 feet.
In addition to the restrictions of drone flight, Nelson Street from Wright St to Crescent Ave will be closed on Friday and Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m. and will reopen at about 8 p.m. The ride share pickup point has been moved from near Siro’s on Lincoln Ave. to East Ave. near Potato Chip Lane.