Uniform State Aeronautics Law

Del. Code tit. 2, ch. 3
in effect

Del. Code tit. 2, § 301 Definitions.

When used in this chapter: (1) “Airperson” includes aviator, pilot, balloonist and every other person having any part in the operation of aircraft while in flight. (2) “Aircraft” includes balloon, airplane, hydroplane and every other vehicle used for navigation through the air. However, a hydroplane, while at rest on water and while being operated on or immediately above water, shall be governed by the rules regarding water navigation; but while being operated through the air otherwise than immediately above water, it shall be treated as an aircraft. (3) “Laser pointer” means any device designed or used to amplify electromagnetic radiation by stimulated emission that emits a beam designed to be used by the operator as a pointer or highlighter to indicate, mark, or identify a specific position, place, item or object. (4) “Passenger” includes any person riding in an aircraft but having no part in its operation.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 302 Sovereignty in space.

Sovereignty in the space above the lands and waters of this State rests in the State, except where granted to and assumed by the United States pursuant to a constitutional grant from the people of this State.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 303 Ownership of space.

The ownership of space above the lands and waters of this State is vested in the several owners of the surface beneath, subject to the right of flight described in § 304 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 304 Lawfulness of flight and landings.

Flight in aircraft over the lands and waters of this State is lawful, unless at such a low altitude as to interfere with the then existing use to which the land or water, or the space over the land or water, is put by the owner, or unless so conducted as to be imminently dangerous to persons or property lawfully on the land or water beneath. No person shall land an aircraft on the lands or waters of another, without the owner’s consent, except in the case of a forced landing. For damages caused by a forced landing, however, the owner or lessee of the aircraft or the airperson shall be liable, as provided in § 305 of this title.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 305 Damage on land; liability.

The owner of every aircraft which is operated over the lands or waters of this State is absolutely liable for injuries to persons or property on the land or water beneath, caused by the ascent, descent or flight of the aircraft, or the dropping or falling of any object therefrom, whether such owner was negligent or not, unless the injury is caused in whole or in part by the negligence of the person injured, or of the owner or bailee of the property injured. If the aircraft is leased at the time of the injury to person or property, both owner and lessee shall be liable, and they may be sued jointly, or either or both of them may be sued separately. An airman who is not the owner or lessee shall be liable only for the consequences of the airman’s own negligence. The injured person, or owner or bailee of the injured property, shall have a lien on the aircraft causing the injury to the extent of the damage caused by the aircraft or objects falling from it.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 306 Collision of aircraft; law governing liability.

The liability of the owner of 1 aircraft to the owner of another aircraft, or to airpersons or passengers on either aircraft, for damage caused by collision on land or in the air, shall be determined by the rules of law applicable to torts on land.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 307 Crimes and torts in flight; law governing.

All crimes, torts and other wrongs committed by or against an airperson or passenger while in flight over this State shall be governed by the laws of this State; and the question whether damage occasioned by or to an aircraft while in flight over this State constitutes a tort, crime or other wrong by or against the owner of such aircraft, shall be determined by the laws of this State.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 308 Contracts in flight.

All contractual and other legal relations entered into by aeronauts or passengers while in flight over this State shall have the same effect as if entered into on the land or water beneath.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 309 Dangerous flying; penalty.

Whoever, being an airperson or passenger, while in flight over a thickly inhabited area or over a public gathering within this State, engages in trick or acrobatic flying, or in any acrobatic feat, or, except while in landing or taking off, flies at such a low level as to endanger the persons on the surface beneath, or drops any object except loose water or loose sand ballast, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or both.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 310 Hunting from aircraft; penalty.

Whoever, being an airperson or passenger, while in flight within this State, intentionally kills or attempts to kill any birds or animals, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than 6 months, or both.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 311 Uniformity of interpretation.

This chapter shall be so interpreted and construed as to effectuate its general purpose to make uniform the law of those states which enact it, and to harmonize, as far as possible, with federal laws and regulations on the subject of aeronautics.

Del. Code tit. 2, § 312 Aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft prohibited; unclassified misdemeanor.

(a) A person is guilty of aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft when the person knowingly shines, points, or focuses the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft while it is in the process of taking off, in flight, or landing. (b) This section does not prohibit aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft by any of the following: (1) An individual conducting research and development or flight testing for an aircraft manufacturer or the Federal Aviation Administration. (2) A member of the United States Department of Defense or the United States Department of Homeland Security acting in an official capacity during an activity related to research and development, flight testing, or training. (3) A law-enforcement officer acting in an official capacity. (4) Individuals playing laser tag, utilizing paintball guns, or other similar games or devices using light emitting diode (LED) technology. (5) An individual attempting to make the individual’s location known. (6) An individual attempting to give a warning signal. (c) Aiming the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft is an unclassified misdemeanor. The mandatory fine shall not exceed $575. This fine shall not be suspended. (d) The venue for the issuance of an arrest warrant for and the prosecution of a violation of this section is the county in which the aircraft took off prior to such violation, in or over which the violation occurred, or in which the aircraft lands subsequent to such violation. The jurisdiction for a violation of this section is as stated in § 204 of Title 11.
Source: DE Code (Official Site)URL: https://delcode.delaware.gov/title2/c003/index.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026

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