Can You Fly a Drone in Minnesota? (Full Guide to Flying in 2023)

Minnesota is one of the best states for photography. From the cities to the countryside and everything in between, it’s a beautiful part of the US.

Being so beautiful leads many drone owners to wonder, “Can you fly a drone in Minnesota?”

There are so many great views in the state that are better seen from above, making flying your drone so worthwhile!

I asked Josh from A Backpacker’s World to provide an answer, along with a guide to flying a drone in the land of 10,000 lakes. 

Note: This guide is based purely on research and is for informational purposes. It should not replace official websites such as the FAA and should not take the place of legal councel.

So, Can You Fly a Drone in Minnesota?

In summary, yes! It is possible to fly a drone in Minnesota as long as you have the correct permits and you follow the rules, both of which we cover later in this article.

Regardless, this is amazing news for drone owners and operators alike.

The opportunity to fly a drone in Minnesota is an incredible one, and one not to be missed.

Imagine flying a drone over Minnesota’s beautiful lakes and fields, and how beautiful that would be.

Getting Your Drone Into Minnesota

Are you flying to Minnesota and hoping to bring your drone with you?

It doesn’t seem like bringing a drone into Minnesota is subject to any rules.

This is wonderful news because it makes bringing a drone here simple.

The process of flying a drone in some states and countries takes much longer because some have state drone laws about actually bringing a drone across the border.

Thankfully, Minnesota doesn’t have any entry restrictions for drones, but there are requirements for flying them.

Nevertheless, we advise you to inquire about the airline’s drone policies. In order to avoid any problems at the airport, it is important to check the rules before your flight because the majority of airlines have strict policies about flying with drones.

Do You Need a License to Fly Your Drone in Minnesota?

Yes, in order to fly a drone in Minnesota, you must register it.

All drones must be registered, per the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration).

Whether you are flying recreationally or commercially, the same rule applies.

By clicking here, you can apply for registration on the FAA website. The registration only costs $5 and is good for three years, which is great news.

Another great advantage is that it means your drone is registered for the entire US, not just Minnesota.

You must pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test, or TRUST, administered by the FAA in addition to registering your drone.

TRUST is also very simple to obtain and is free to complete online. TRUST can be obtained by clicking here.

Once again, this means that you have successfully passed the test for the entire US.

So, for only $5 in registration, you can fly your drone in the majority of US States.

Being able to obtain both registration and TRUST online is unheard of for drone operators, few places make it this easy. It’s a huge advantage because it means you can complete all documentation without actually being in Minnesota, which is great if you are visiting on vacation.

Flying Commercially

In addition to these two requirements, if you plan to use your drone for commercial activities like surveying and mapping, you also need to pass the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test, which is makes up your Part 107.

This costs $175 and again, is good in most of the 50 states.

So it only costs a modest amount of money to be able to use your drone as a commercial drone pilot all over the US.

If you are an experienced drone operator, which you most likely are if you are flying for business purposes, passing the test should be rather simple as well.

Furthermore, if you are flying commercially, you must obtain a Minnesota Commercial Operations License. This costs $30 a year.

Please note that you MUST have drone insurance to apply for this. You can apply through the Minnesota State website by clicking here.

Rules for Flying a Drone in Minnesota

You can fly your drone in Minnesota once you have registered it, and obtained your TRUST (and if you have a commercial purpose, your Part 107 license, and Minnesota Commercial Operations License).

Providing you abide by the rules. Federal, State, and local rules all apply to drone use in Minnesota.

It’s crucial that you become accustomed to them before flying. Failure to do so can result in the confiscation of drones, fines of $1,000 or more, or if the offense is serious enough, prison time.

The most significant national and regional laws are:

• Keep your drone within a direct line of sight
• Do not fly above 400 feet (approximately 120 meters)
• You must give way to crewed aircraft (planes, helicopters, etc.)
• Carry proof of TRUST and drone registration 
• You should follow federal drone laws and obtain proper authorization before flying in controller airspace
• Do not operate your drone dangerously (e.g. don’t fly under influence of alcohol)
• You must keep a document of all flights

It also goes without saying that you should stay away from sensitive areas like airports, police stations, military bases, and other places. These areas are strictly off-limits to flying, and there are severe penalties for disobeying this rule.

You should also be familiar with local drone laws, as well as state drone laws, for flying in the state of Minnesota.

For example, the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board state that you cannot take off or land a drone on property owned by the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board without a permit. 

Lastly, you should check where you can fly your drone. As a general rule of thumb, National Parks are off-limits.

These are nearly all no-fly-zones unless you acquire prior consent. Most of Minnesota’s major lakes are off-limits too, like Lake Superior.

Use the B4UFLY app to help understand where it is allowed and where it is not to fly an unmanned aircraft system.

FAQs

Wrap-Up: Flying a Drone in Minnesota

And there you have it, a complete guide to flying a drone in the state of Minnesota.

I hope all your questions are answered and you are confident about the requirements to fly a drone in Minnesota and the rules to follow.

Make sure to bring your drone when exploring this beautiful state, some of the footage you will capture will leave you lost for words. So get out there and start seeing Minnesota from above!