Pensacola Beach, Fla. (July 14, 2026) – The Santa Rosa Island Authority, Visit Pensacola and Escambia County Public Safety want to remind those attending the Pensacola Beach Air Show that flying drones or kites during the air show is strictly prohibited.

Please help keep everyone safe and the show running smoothly by following all drone rules and guidelines.

Once aircraft demonstrations begin, all drones and kites must be grounded until the U.S. Navy Blue Angels have completed their performance. This also includes the civilian flight demonstrations. Any drone detected within a five-mile radius of the restricted flight zone will result in an immediate pause of the air show until the airspace is clear.

Drone operators are also reminded to comply with all Federal Aviation Administration requirements outlined in Part 107 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Individuals violating any of these rules, and/or operating in a dangerous manner, may be subject to FAA enforcement action and/or criminal penalties of up to a third-degree felony for certain violations.

Registration

• Failure to register an unmanned aircraft system or drone that is required to be registered may result in regulatory and criminal penalties. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.

Operating Over People

• Per FAA guidelines, drones are generally not allowed to be flown over people or crowds. Significant injuries could occur in the event of a drone crashing into a crowd.

Additional FAA Resources

• General Drone Information
• Recreational Flyer Information
• FAADroneZone
• CFR Part 107

About the Santa Rosa Island Authority

Pensacola Beach is owned by Escambia County, Fla., and is under the direction of the Santa Rosa Island Authority (SRIA). The SRIA was created by the Florida legislature in 1947 under Chapter 24500. The SRIA does not receive tax support from the taxpayers of the county. It is fully funded from lease fees collected from business and residences on the beach. The Island Authority board is made up of six members, five are named by members of the Escambia County Board of Commissioners whose term is the same as the commissioner who appointed them. Registered voters on Pensacola Beach elect the sixth member. The elected member’s term is two years.