The City of Chicopee recognizes that unmanned aircraft and unmanned
aircraft systems, commonly referred to as "drones," are increasingly
being flown by citizens for a variety of both recreational and business
purposes. United States airspace is the busiest in the world with
up to 87,000 flights per day, including commercial airliners, flight
haulers, air taxis and private and military aircraft. Further, the
City of Chicopee is the home of the Westover Air Reserve Base, which
conducts flights critical for the protection of all United States
citizens. Consequently, the City of Chicopee hereby adopts this chapter
to protect the privacy and property interests of the residents of
the City of Chicopee as well as to comply with all federal and state
laws, including the safe operation of the Westover Air Reserve Base.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
AIRCRAFT
Any object designed or used to navigate or fly in the air.
DRONE
Any unmanned aircraft, amateur rocket, model aircraft (Section
336 of Public Law 112-95), rotorcraft (702 CMR 2.01), or similar device
or aircraft.
VISUAL LINE OF SIGHT
An operator having constant and personal visual contact with
the aircraft and/or drone at all times. This visual contact shall
be natural and personal to the operator and shall not allow the operator
to use visual enhancements, screens or other devices to maintain constant
visual contact with the aircraft and/or drone.
This chapter shall apply to all drones and aircraft, as defined
herein, to the extent allowed pursuant to state and federal law. This
chapter shall be limited to those drones/aircraft that weigh less
than 55 pounds and which are flown by a private citizen below 400
feet.