We have the Beast Mode and now we have the No Drone Zone. The FAA wants to ensure that the only thing flying through the air around the University of Phoenix’s stadium on Sunday will be footballs.
At least that’s the very stern message coming from the federal agency: They’ve banned any drone use within 30 miles of the stadium this Super Bowl Sunday.
The FAA sent a fact sheet, banning the devices, stating: “A second outer ring will encompass the airspace between 10 and 30 miles from the stadium. [..] All unmanned aircraft operations – also known as drones—are prohibited within the restricted areas. These include model aircraft operations, model rocketry and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Anyone who operates an unmanned aircraft in the restricted area could face civil penalties or criminal charges.”
Additionally, they made an instructional video (seriously) telling football fans to keep it a “no drone zone.” There’s even a freaking hashtag #nodronezone.
A little excessive? Probably. But the FAA and Secret Service are still licking their wounds from earlier this week, when that drunk bozo crashed a drone on White House property. And we all know there will be plenty of tailgating going on before the big game, so maybe erring on the side of safety isn’t such a bad idea.
And hey, if you absolutely must drone on Sunday, take it far out into the desert. That’s what it’s there for.
