New tool asks can you legally fly your drone along any San Francisco street

A new web tool called Dovepass lets people plan a drone route between two points in San Francisco and instantly see whether that flight would be legal ¹.

How it works

Users pick a takeoff spot, a destination and their drone model, then press a button ¹. The system first plots a path, then validates it against restrictions covering FAA airspace and airport clearance areas, temporary no-fly zones, San Francisco Giants home games, municipal parks in SF, the Presidio, federally designated national park areas, the Candlestick site, correctional facilities, the Golden Gate Bridge structure, surrounding buildings and topography, along with wind conditions and battery limits . The result is shown as a simple "go" or "no-go" answer, along with downloadable files for popular drone apps and a printable flight card .

The map shows which areas carry special rules, and a side-view height chart lets users trace the drone along the path from launch to landing ¹. If something goes wrong along the way, the tool explains why and highlights the problem, such as a building or a restricted zone .

What Dovepass checks

The tool cross-references FAA airspace boundaries, airport permission zones, temporary no-fly areas, scheduled Giants home games at Oracle Park, city parks, the Presidio, national park land at Ocean Beach, Crissy Field and Alcatraz, Candlestick Park, jails, and the Golden Gate Bridge ¹. It also factors in terrain, buildings, hills and estimated wind and battery conditions . Port of San Francisco property is flagged at the endpoints when a flight starts or ends there, though that land is not fully checked inside the tool .

What it does not cover

Dovepass does not check private property rights, privacy concerns or local filming permits ¹. The site also reminds users that it cannot replace the legal pre-flight duties every pilot must complete, such as confirming the aircraft is airworthy and that the operator can keep the drone in sight at all times . Beyond visual line of sight requires an FAA waiver, and cameras or FPV goggles do not count as human vision under current rules .

A prototype, not a law firm

The creators call Dovepass a research prototype and warn users to verify the rules themselves before any flight ¹. The tool says the dates below each rule are when it last read the source, acknowledging that regulations change frequently . If data cannot be loaded for a requested route, the site shows a "couldn't check" message instead of guessing .

Key facts

• Dovepass is a web-based research prototype for checking drone flight legality in San Francisco.
• It checks FAA airspace, airport zones, Giants games, parks, the Presidio, national park land, jails and the Golden Gate Bridge.
• The tool does not check private property, privacy issues or filming permits.
• Users can download DJI app files, map files and printable flight cards for approved routes.
• The creators urge pilots to confirm pre-flight rules themselves before taking off.

Sources

1. Dovepass — drone flight check, San Francisco (research prototype)