2024-07 · NASA ASRS report 2148463
Recreational / Hobbyist UAS pilot reported being unaware of a TFR and flying within it without authorization.
This was a spontaneous decision to video an update on the road construction that I had been videoing occasionally for several months. At my usual staging spot at that location and while doing preflight checks; I discovered that I had not uploaded my regular drone flight planning software to my new phone and did not have my iPad with me of which I would have if this had been a planned flight.However since I had flown there for this type of mission recently and a few times there before; I decided to trust my drones app to advise me of any airspace problems; which showed none. In addition with ADS-B I knew I would be advised by the App if there were any manned aircraft in the area.I decided that the limited altitude that I would by flying at (150 ft.) that I was certain of safety and had a short uneventful photo shoot flight.Upon returning home I installed and updated my drone flight app on my new phone and was surprised and upset to discover that a TFR had been issued for XA00pm UTC that day because of firefighting operations. No firefighting operations were underway in our vicinity; and my flight was barely within the boundary of the TFR; along with my entire town.In conclusion; I believe that my flight was completely safe however if TFR's are now so liberally issued; my lesson is now to always confirm NOTAMS for drone flying even if I recently have flown at the same location recently and not to trust my drones App as being timely in their automatic airspace and warning information.
The Reporter had no additional information to share.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.
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