Erie MetroParks establishes drone rules

HURON TWP. — Erie MetroParks officials didn't hover around its drone issue.Rather they clearly stated the district's policies for both park guests and employees flying unmanned aerial vehicles in all park properties.• For park guests: "Engine-powered model toy airplanes, rockets, boats, cars or other similar noise-making devices are not permitted to be operated within the confines of the park except by written permit of the executive director for certain limited occasions in a safeguarded area and after the payment of a fee, if any, as may be set by the board."Note: To receive permission, contact the executive director at 419-625-7783, ext. 226 or amoore@eriemetroparks.org.• For park employees: "Drone use is intended for, but not limited to, marketing purposes, remapping and invasive species control. Drone operations will be evaluated and assessed to ensure that international disruption or undue stress to wildlife will not occur."To fly a drone, an employee must:• Receive permission from the executive director• Obtain a remote pilot airman certificate with a small Unmanned Aircraft System rating or be under the director supervision of a person who holds such a certificate• Make the drone available to FAA inspection• Report to the FAA within 10 days if the drone activity results in serious injury, loss of consciousness and/or property damage totaling at least $500• Fly the device in a safe, and not reckless, mannerReach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.To fly a drone in any Erie MetroParks property, both park guests and employees first need to receive permission from the district's executive director. They then must follow several other rules.