Va. Code Ann. § 5.1-13

This is the official text of Va. Code Ann. § 5.1-13, part of Virginia’s Code of Virginia — the complete compiled statutory law of Virginia, organized into 60+ numbered titles by subject.

Not legal advice. This page reproduces the official text of a government statute for reference only. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on your specific facts. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Operation of aircraft while under influence of intoxicating liquors or drugs; reckless operation

Official statutory text

Any person who operates any aircraft within the airspace over, above or upon the lands or waters of the Commonwealth while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or of any narcotic or marijuana or any habit-forming drugs is guilty of a felony and shall be confined in a state correctional facility not less than one nor more than five years, or, in the discretion of the court or jury trying the case, be confined in jail not exceeding 12 months and fined not exceeding $500, or both such fine and imprisonment.

Any person who operates any aircraft within the airspace over, above or upon the lands or waters of the Commonwealth carelessly or heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others, or without due caution and circumspection and in a manner so as to endanger any person or property, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Code 1950, § 5-10.1; 1964, c. 416; 1966, c. 576; 2026, Sp. Sess. I, c. 1 .

Status: in_force · Read it on the official government site

Need a lawyer in Virginia?

Find a Virginia lawyer

About this page: Statute text is reproduced from official government publishers via the Open US Law dataset (Vaquill AI, snapshot v2026.08, CC BY 4.0). Primary legislative text like this is public domain under the government-edicts doctrine (Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 2020). We link every section back to its official source so you can verify it independently.