Winchester Public School’s Emil and Grace Shihadeh Innovation Center received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for an FAA FRIA Zone behind the school to fly drones.

In this designated area behind the school located at 536 Jefferson Street in Winchester, students and community members can now fly their drones without required Remote ID Equipment.

While operating in these zones, both the drone and pilot must stay within the boundaries and the pilot must be able to see the drone for the entire duration of the flight.

Approval was granted by the FAA for four years, concluding in February 2030.

This will be the first FAA FRIA zone in Winchester.

Other locations in the Northern Shenandoah Valley include the recreational remote control flying club Plane Crazy R/Cers  off Sulphur Springs Road in Frederick County and Laurel Ridge Community College’s Middletown Campus which hosts their drone program.

For more information on FAA FRIA Zones, click here.