UAV - Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 30; Flight Crew Total 700; Flight Crew Type 7
Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Airport; Airspace Structure; Human Factors
I was test operating an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS); a DJI Phantom 3 Professional; within Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens; NY. This flight was purely for hobby/recreational purposes (non-commercial operation). It is legal to fly UAS in this park; however; since it is approximately 2 NM south of LGA; I telephoned the tower on my intentions to fly for approximately 10 minutes at or below 250 feet AGL. The tower operator thanked me for calling and asked that I call back when I was done with my operation.After landing; I noticed a voicemail from LGA ATC requesting that I call back; which I promptly did. The controller asked for my name; type of aircraft flown; and the duration of the flight. I provided the controller with my information and he thanked me. I wasn't sure if I was in violation of any FARs; as I had called in my intentions; but I am filing this notice as a matter of record of my compliance to contact ATC whenever flying within 5 miles of an airport; and staying well below 400 feet AGL; and away from people 2NM and further from LGA. On a good note; had I attempted to fly any further north; DJI has built in firmware informing the pilot (me) when within 1.5 NM of the field; causing the UAS to land automatically. This did not occur as I did remain south.
A rated Private pilot reported flying his UAV in Corona Park; 2 NM south of LGA; with the Tower's permission.