Since childhood, I had a dream of remote-controlled RC airplanes or helicopters, but they were too expensive to consider.

About eight years ago, when I first bought a DJI drone on eBay, it seemed like just a fun toy for a hobby.

But nowadays, you can't say that lightly. With the Ukraine war and the Israel-Gaza conflict, drones have become almost advanced weaponry.

A cheap drone can take down a tank worth millions of dollars and capture sensitive military information in real-time.

Now, drones are no longer just "toys for taking pictures"; they are strategic weapons encompassing both information warfare and attack.

Perhaps because of this trend, drone regulations are becoming increasingly strict in the US.

Especially in large cities like LA, flying a drone anywhere can lead to hefty fines and meetings with police or government officials.

I live in Burbank, LA. When I started with drones, aerial photography was my main goal. Flying over Hollywood Hills at sunset or capturing Malibu beach with a drone was incredibly fun during editing. But now I realize that the skies over LA are almost restricted zones.

Within a 5-mile radius of airports, near police or fire stations, above schools or hospitals, and even over parks or event venues where many people gather, it is all prohibited.

If you fly a drone without adhering to these standards, you could face fines of up to $1,500. Civilians can report illegal flights, and you could become the subject of an investigation.

Moreover, if the drone weighs over 250g (0.55 pounds), you must register it with the FAA, and even for non-commercial flights, you need to complete online training and obtain 'TRUST certification.' Small drones like the DJI Mini 3 are not exempt from this regulation.

Once, while flying a drone in Koreatown, I received a warning from passing police. Fortunately, it was just a record, but since then, I've developed the habit of checking the FAA map app for 'no-fly zones' before flying my drone. There was even an incident during the Palisades wildfire where a civilian's drone collided with a firefighting aircraft, leading to the drone operator being treated as a criminal and ultimately arrested.

So nowadays, not just in LA, but across the US, drone regulations are tightening.

The reason is clear. Drones, whether for military or civilian use, have gained surveillance and destructive capabilities beyond imagination. In Ukraine, homemade FPV drones are destroying Russian tanks, and in the Israel-Gaza war, drones are providing real-time information from the sky to strike sensitive areas. This is not just 'eyes in the sky' but can be called 'spears dropping from the air.'

The US government cannot be unaware of this situation. As a result, even hobby drones are now regarded as aerial surveillance tools and are strictly regulated. Some cities have even designated official areas where drones can be flown, while all other areas are strictly limited or prohibited.

In this atmosphere, we regular users also need to change our mindset. The thought of "it's just for taking pictures, what's the big deal" no longer holds.

The process of buying, registering, flying, and editing videos with a drone has transcended simple hobby status. Especially in areas with strict regulations like LA, ignorance is not an excuse.

Flying drones is indeed fun. But nowadays, it's essential to remember that this enjoyment is only guaranteed in designated areas.

Drones have become tools that risk lives in war zones. In this era, wanting to fly them anywhere means you should be prepared to face fines.

So for those who love drones, please read the FAA regulations and take the TRUST test.

It's essential to enjoy flying drones in the beautiful summer skies without fines.