Unlock a new view of Cowtown from the air. | Video by Panther City Air
Drones have been flying to the top of the radar in recent years, prompting photographers and hobbyists to take to the skies.
The DFW airspace can be pretty confusing — or as Ryan Taylor, local drone photographer and owner of Panther City Air, told us “widely considered among the most complex in the nation.”
If you’re interested in capturing incredible aerial clips like the one above, keep reading for an easy explainer that’s buzzing with pro tips about local drone regulations, no-fly zones, and the best spots to capture photos in Fort Worth.
Federal guidelines
Flying drones — or Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) under 55 lbs — are regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Certificated Remote Pilots rules. Some basic guidelines include:
Perhaps the most important thing to know is where you can and cannot fly your drone — particularly around airports, military bases, critical infrastructure (like manufacturing facilities and dams), and hospitals (to account for emergency helicopters).
Check out B4UFLY’s interactive webpage and app to locate uncontrolled airspace and active advisories. You can also apply for real-time authorization in controlled airspace.
Some drones have their own built-in geofencing that will keep you from flying into unauthorized airspace.
Aerial photography gives you “the ability to check on flooded areas or abandoned structures that might not be safe to walk around,” said Ryan Taylor.
Taylor noted that it’s important to know what is respectful as well as legal. Not only is capturing surveillance of people or private property a Class C misdemeanor in Texas, it is also rude — and we’re not into rude. Drones can also disturb wildlife, so you must obtain a permit to film in a Texas State Park.
Now it’s your turn — Send us your stunning aerial shots or nominate your favorite local drone photographer and we’ll share the best photos in an upcoming newsletter.
“Jagged Little Pill” | Friday, Sept. 15-Sunday, Sept. 17 | Times vary | Bass Performance Hall, 525 Commerce St., Fort Worth | $28-$88 | Catch the musical featuring Alanis Morisette’s music in the latest Broadway at the Bass series.
Pearl Jam | Friday, Sept. 15 | 7:30 p.m. | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $161-$811 | Jam out with the famous Seattle rock band for their second Cowtown performance this week.
Saturday, Sept. 16
Trinity River Book Festival | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 8 a.m.-2 p.m. | Trinity River Pavilion 1, 2300 W. 7th St., Fort Worth | Free | Calling book lovers — celebrate National Literacy Month with author panels, presentations, and activities.
Kids’ DIY-U Workshop | Saturday, Sept. 16 | 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Lowe’s Home Improvement, 4305 Bryant Irvin Rd., Fort Worth | Free | Little DIYers can create a football player card holder with this hands-on workshop.
Sunday, Sept. 17
Goat Yoga | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 10-11 a.m. | Martin House Brewing Company, 220 S. Sylvania Ave., Fort Worth | $20-$32 | We’re not kidding around with this stretching session.
Mexico in Our Blood | Sunday, Sept. 17 | 2 p.m. | Cowtown Coliseum, 121 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth | $20-$55 | Celebrate the history of Mexican horsemanship with charreria, Caballos bailadores, Folklorico + live banda and mariachi music.
City Council approved a Tax Increment Financing District and a Public Improvement District for 5,200 acres west of town. The taxing districts will allow the city to fund $3 billion worth of infrastructure improvements for Veale Ranch, located south of Walsh Ranch in both Tarrant and Parker counties.
Coming Soon
A new grocery store + food market is coming to Magnolia Avenue’s new Highline building. Local chef Hao Tran will open Hao’s Cho Bep in early 2024. The store will be a one-stop shop for everyday groceries, gourmet items, and take-away meals like Hao’s popular Vietnamese dumplings. (CultureMap Fort Worth)
Biz
After several moves, popular nightclub Meet Me Underground has found a new home in the West 7th entertainment district. The Monday night rave moved from Southside’s Distribution Bar to Ampersand Bar last month. It was previously a tenant at downtown’s Curfew Bar.
Festival
Jump on those autumn vibes with tickets to Mainstay Farm in Cleburne (~25 minutes south of downtown). The farm is having a flash sale through Monday, Sept. 19. Choose from an $18 Fall Festival Farm Pass or a $50 season pass to pick pumpkins and zinnias.
Sports
USA Wrestling is headed to the Convention Center in December. The 2023 USA Wrestling Senior Nationals — a qualifier for the US Olympic Team Trials — and the Stockyard Stampede will be in town from Friday, Dec. 15, to Sunday, Dec. 17. The events will generate $1.5 million in economic impact.
Shop
Local blogger Katey McFarlan teamed up with home decor brand MacKenzie-Childs to design a new ceramic collection. The pastel pink and green pieces include a berry bowl, vase, and spoon rest. Enter a giveaway by 12 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18 to get the collection for free.
Number
90. That’s how many minutes each month it takes to be an Academy 4 mentor. Local fourth graders and mentors will discuss leadership and set goals to grow, while also building transformative relationships that increase the student’s sense of self-worth + encourage academic performance. Learn more + sign up to mentor.*
Try This
Tired of high energy bills? Energy Ogre can help you beat the heat by shopping thousands of electricity providers for you. Want to see just how much you can save? Get an idea by using Energy Ogre’s savings calculator.*
Arts
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is home to creative programs, interactive exhibits + out-of-this-world fun. Check out the “Cowtown Takes Flight” exhibition, catch a show at the Noble Planetarium, or get hands-on with science in Innovation Studios — the possibilities are endless. Plan your visit.*
Finance
At the beginning of the year, we shared tips from United Texas Credit Union about how to reach your 2023 savings goals. How are those goals coming along?Read the story here if you missed it the first time.*
Drink
It’s been a record-hot summer — and we still haven’t drank water since 1997. But this water brand makes us want to actually stay hydrated. It’s infused with fruit essences and has zero calories, diet sweeteners, and sugar, and still manages to taste great. New customers score 36 bottles for $36 + free shipping.*
In 2022, 73.4 million passengers passed through DFW Airport. | Photo by @rabiation
Earlier this week, City Council approved the 2024 fiscal budget for DFW Airport at a whopping $1.25 billion.
The new budget for the world’s second-busiest airport will go into effect on Sunday, Oct. 1, and run through Monday, Sept. 30, 2024.
The budget includes:
$672.4 million in operating expenses that will cover increased passengers, fixed contract increases, inflation, and investments in digital technology
$570.8 million in debt service and coverage that will accommodate two American Airlines facilities
$10 million contingency (which requires approval from the airport’s board)
The total airline cost is budgeted at $613.3 million. The proposed 2024 budget is 6% higher than the $1.18 billion 2023 fiscal budget, which saw a 13% increase from 2022.
Dallas city leaders also approved the budget as a co-owner city.
In case you haven’t noticed, Fort Worth has a thing for flying. Dating back to World War I, aviation has been a major industry in Cowtown + now the American Airlines Group and Lockheed Martin are two of the city’s largest employers.
Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.