This Week at NCDOT: Drone Safety and Blackbeard’s Flag on Ferries by
RALEIGH – The following are highlights from this week at the N.C. Department of Transportation. The stories below are also featured in NCDOT Now, the department’s weekly newscast. Drone Safety and Summit As more people get outside, usage of Unmanned Aerial Systems, or drones, also increases. With more than 28,000 drones operating in North Carolina, there are some important guidelines to know while keeping this technology fun and safe. Before a drone takes to the sky, it must be registered by visiting the Federal Aviation Administration’s website if it weighs more than .55 pounds and less than 55 pounds. Permits are not required for recreational users, but government and commercial operators must become certified with the N.C. Division of Aviation. To stay safe, all drone operators should remember: To always fly below 400 feet and within line of sight; Do not fly at night; Don’t fly near stadiums, prisons, public events or directly over people; Never fly near aircraft, especially close to airports; and Do not fly near emergency response efforts. In addition, those wanting to learn more about the ever-changing drone industry will want to mark their calendars for the N.C. Drone Summit and Expo. Taking place in Greensboro from Aug. 5-7, the event will feature speakers, exhibitors and UAS flight demonstrators from around the world. Registration is open at ncdronesummitdot.com. Blackbeard’s Flag on NC Ferries Those taking a ferry this summer at the Outer Banks will do so under the black flag of North Carolina’s most infamous pirate, Blackbeard. In partnership with the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, the flag will fly on ferries serving the Hatteras-Ocracoke, Cedar Island-Ocracoke, and Swan Quarter-Ocracoke ferry routes. The Pamlico River route between Bayview and Aurora will also hoist the flag, as both areas have historic ties to the 18th century pirates. The flags are part of a series of events taking place in observance of the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s death in 1718. Ferry tickets can be booked online today.
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