Operation from a moving vehicle or aircraft

This regulation prohibits operating a drone from a moving aircraft under all circumstances. You cannot launch, control, or recover your drone while aboard an aircraft in flight.

Operating a drone from a moving land or water vehicle (like a car, truck, or boat) is also generally prohibited, with two exceptions that must both apply:

• The drone flies over a sparsely populated area, AND
• You're not transporting property for compensation or hire (not conducting commercial delivery)

If both conditions are met, you may operate from a moving vehicle. For example, you could fly your drone from a moving boat over open water for recreational photography, but you couldn't deliver packages from a moving truck through a residential area.

The regulation aims to reduce operational complexity and safety risks. Operating from a stationary position gives you better situational awareness and control. Note that operating from a *parked* vehicle is permitted without these restrictions.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*