Can You Fly a Drone in Queens, New York City?

Queens Airspace: Two Major Airports

Queens is home to two of the three major airports that define New York’s Class B airspace: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Their overlapping controlled airspace extends across most of the borough, often with LAANC grid ceilings at 0 ft AGL near the airports.

This means that in many parts of Queens, no automated LAANC authorization is available at any altitude. Operators must apply through the FAA’s DroneZone for manual airspace authorization, which can take days to weeks for processing.

City-Level Permit: § 10-126 and NYPD

Under NYC Administrative Code § 10-126, all drone takeoffs and landings in Queens require an NYPD Unmanned Aircraft Permit through 38 RCNY Chapter 24, unless you’re operating at a designated model aircraft field. The NYPD permit is a separate requirement from FAA authorization—both are needed simultaneously.

Designated Model Aircraft Fields in Queens

Queens has two of the five designated model aircraft fields in NYC:

• Flushing Meadows Corona Park — Van Wyck Expressway by Meadow Lake
• Forest Park — Jackie Robinson Parkway & Forest Parkway

These fields are exempt from the NYPD permit requirement under 38 RCNY § 24-02(b)(1). However, all FAA regulations still apply: Part 107 or TRUST compliance, LAANC authorization for the specific grid ceiling, and Remote ID broadcast per 14 CFR Part 89.

NYC Parks Restrictions

All NYC Parks property in Queens—including Astoria Park, Cunningham Park, Kissena Park, and the non-designated portions of Flushing Meadows—falls under the drone restrictions in § 18-146. Only the two designated fields listed above allow drone operations.

How to Get Permitted in Queens

1. Obtain your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
2. Check LAANC grid ceilings at your planned location—be especially careful near JFK and LGA
3. Apply at nyc.gov/dronepermits at least 30 days in advance ($150 fee)
4. Carry insurance meeting $2M/$4M minimums per 38 RCNY § 24-06
5. Have Remote ID broadcasting on your aircraft