so i just got my first drone a few weeks ago, its a mini 3 pro, and ive been trying to figure out the whole registration thing. i registered it with the faa which i think covers me federally but then i started reading about how some states have their own rules and now im completely confused about what actually applies to me.

specifically i want to fly at a state park in virginia and i cant find a clear answer anywhere on whether the faa registration is enough or if theres like a separate state thing i need to do. the park website just says drones require a permit but doesnt say where to get one or how much it costs. do i just call the park office or is there some state agency that handles this

yeah state parks are their own thing, the faa registration doesnt cover you for state land use rules. faa deals with the airspace, the state or whatever agency manages the park deals with whether you can physically fly there at all. those are two separate things that people mix up all the time.

your best bet honestly is just calling the park directly. virginia state parks ive heard are hit or miss, some will give you a filming permit for like 25 bucks and some just say no drones period. the website is usually useless for this stuff. just call and ask specifically if recreational drone flying is allowed and if a permit is required. bring whatever they say in writing if you can because rangers on the ground sometimes dont know the actual policy.

I went through basically the same thing last summer trying to fly at a state forest in Pennsylvania. Ended up emailing the park office and they got back to me after like a week saying I needed to fill out a special use permit form. Wasnt expensive but it took time. Definitely dont just show up and assume youre fine because the faa cert is in your pocket, ive seen people get their info taken down by rangers even when they technically had airspace clearance.