Permits and Paperwork
So you want to be a radio control pilot?
There are a few local and federal requirements to be licensed and permitted to fly RC Airplanes and Drones. This page will guide you through the various requirements you need before your first solo flight!
Step One: Join the AMA
In addition to obtaining a permit to fly at Buder Park (see Step 2), St. Louis County requires all pilots to be "full" or "youth" members of AMA. AMA provides a pilot with many benefits, but the main benefit is Insurance in case of a piloting accident. You can read more on the AMA's website, and you can join AMA while you're there. Membership in AMA costs $85 per calendar year for a "full" membership, or $15 per year for a "youth" membership. Note: a "Park Pilot" membership is NOT sufficient to get a permit from St. Louis County.
Step two: Obtain a permit to fly at Buder Park
The process to obtain a Permit to fly at Buder Park can be confusing. Here we have laid out all the steps you need to take to obtain a permit. A yearly permit costs $90, or you can pay at the "money box" at the park $6 per day to fly.
- The first thing you need to do is download a Park Event Application in Word or PDF format (See downloads at bottom of this page). This will appear to be a "St. Louis County Parks and Recreation Special Event Application." But fear not, it's also an application for a yearly Flying Permit, with a little imagination!
- For "NAME OF EVENT", write or type "Yearly RC Flying permit at Buder Park".
- For "NAME OF REPRESENTATIVE", enter your name.
- For "BUSINESS ADDRESS", enter your home address.
- For "PHONE" and "EMAIL", use your preferred phone number and email address.
- YOU DO NOT NEED TO FILL OUT ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS FORM
- Email the completed form to mkmartin@stlouiscountymo.gov with a subject similar to "Buder Park Flying Permit" or print it out and mail to: St. Louis County Parks, 41 S. Central Ave, Clayton, MO 63105
- If you used email, Maggie at St. Louis County Parks will email you a payment link to pay for your yearly permit, usually in a day or 2. The payment link will come from noreply@civicplus.com (make sure to check spam).
- Once you have paid, Maggie will mail you a permit that you are asked to display on your car's dashboard while flying at the park. Park Rangers will periodically check fliers for permits.
Step Four: Miscellaneous FAA Requirements
The FAA requires all RC pilots to pass the T.R.U.S.T. safety test, and all unmanned aircraft under 55lbs and above 250g must be registered. (The FAA uses the term "Drone" to cover RC Aircraft as well as what we traditionally refer to Drones.) More information on this Federal program can be found at https://faadronezone-access.faa.gov