Drone Policy

The USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park has established requirements concerning the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), commonly known as drones. This policy concerning aerial devices has been established to protect the safety of guests, trainees, employees, and property of Battleship Memorial Park (BMP).

BMP has a strict policy prohibiting all unmanned aerial systems over BMP property without prior approval.  Aerial vehicles present safety risks to the public and will not be permitted.

Anyone flying a drone/aircraft or helicopter on BMP property will immediately be asked to stop and/or asked to leave BMP property without obtaining prior permission . Violators will be subject to citation of trespassing by City of Mobile Police Department and potential notification of the FAA.

Any video obtained without consent from the Deputy Executive Director cannot be posted or used and may be subject to financial and legal interventions.

BMP may make exceptions to this policy on a case-by-case basis for certain events/ activities, but preapproval must be obtained by the Deputy Executive Director.

Effective February 12, 2017

  • Drone flights may only occur during daylight hours defined as between official sunrise and official sunset for local time. Permission to fly drones at night at BMP will only be given by the Executive Director on a case-by-case basis.
  • Excluding takeoff and landing, drones are not to be flown at BMP closer than 25 feet of any individual, except the operator or the operator’s assistant.
  • Drones are not to be flown within 100 feet horizontally or vertically of the USS ALABAMA, USS DRUM, Aircraft Pavilion, Park Memorials, aircraft or artifacts on the grounds of BMP. Permission for flights closer than 100 feet shall be granted by the Executive Director on a case-by-case basis.
  • All drone flights may operate up to 400 feet above ground level (AGL) within BMP.
  • Drone flights may not occur when precipitation is falling, or when winds exceed 20 m.p.h. sustained on when gusts exceed 25 m.p.h.
  • No person shall operate a drone within BMP beyond the visual line of sight of the person operating the drone. The operator must use his or her own natural vision (which includes vision corrected by standard eyeglasses or contact lenses) to observe the drone. The use of vision-enhancing devices, such as binoculars, night vision goggles, powered vision magnifying devices, and goggles or other devices designed to provide a “first-person view” from the drone do not constitute the visual line of sight of the drone operator.
  • No person shall operate any drone within BMP in violation of any temporary flight restrictions (TFR) or notice to airmen (NOTAM) issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.
  • No person shall operate a drone within BMP in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another. The standard for what constitutes careless or reckless operation under this section shall be the same as the standard set forth in any federal statutes or regulations governing aeronautics but not limited to Federal Aviation Rule 91.13.

Current FAA guidelines will be used to revise this policy as needed (Effective February 12, 2017)

  • Obtain a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) issued by the FAA.
  • Operate under the 2017 revision of FAA rules, and
  • Contact Deputy Executive Director for coordination and approval.
  • In operating a UAS for purposes of recording or transmitting visual images, operator must take all reasonable measures to avoid violations of areas normally considered private.
  • UAV aircraft may fly at an altitude of up to 400 feet above ground level (AGL), or any higher altitude as long as they remain within 400 feet of a structure.