Who Can Legally Fly A Drone

By Amy E. Feldman

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- So who legally can fly a drone these days? Maybe you.

Back in the days when the only drones the general public knew were of the Homer Simpson, Drone from Sector 7G variety, drones of the unmanned aircraft variety were strictly in the purview of the military.

But now, drones are relatively east to obtain, and everyone from photographers to retailers to small children see their potential to amuse, amaze, and deliver.

But the law has been slow to catch up with technology. The FAA has proposed regulations but those won't be in effect until at least 2017.

For now, under federal law, it's illegal to fly a drone over national parks and military reservations. It's also illegal to fly a drone within 5 miles of an airport or more than 400 feet above the ground anywhere in the US.

And if your drone is otherwise being flown legally but hits someone, like the unfortunate case of the TGIFridays drone carrying, ironically, mistletoe, that crashed into a patron, cutting her nose open, you will face the financial penalties of a lawsuit. D'oh!