How high can you fly your drone

[@ASRivers]

This absolutely BEST explanation of how high one can fly a drone. I refer to it often. Thank you!!!

[@miller-joel]

Now, for bonus points, how high are you legally allowed to fly a kite in the US? And I don't mean how high you have to be.

[@modisumocustoms9374]

Very clear explanations on airspace. Love that this is now available all in one video. Thanks for the continued education! (Student and Part 107 Certified UAS Pilot)

[@cre8tivity06]

I posted a photo I came across in a pilot’s FB group the other day of someone flying near the top of one of the tallest buildings in Philly and it spawned a great conversation on how high you can fly. Someone then shared this video to my post. I really like how well you explained this information in a way that made it easy to understand. I hope everyone watching this video, saves it so they can use it as reference in the future.

[@VicMossPhotography]

Nice and clear, as always. This will make my reference list for the forums.

[@gscop1683]

Thank You Gregg ! For those that may be surfing, looking, intending to do right with their drone, or get a 107 Certificate, I can tell you Pilot Institute is The BEST ! I spent the fee a little over a year ago. Complete NEWBIE to flying....Went through All of His Courses and passed the 107 on the First Try with a 98%. This is the Only Person/Channel that I will Trust with drone law and flying drones !......and no, I am not compensated nor even known by Gregg other than as a email subscriber!

[@RVKevin]

Great confirmation. I love it when you make videos like this. It really helps.

[@PilotInstitute]

Happy yo make more if you have other topics.

[@markredfield852]

Love the vid and the info but do have this question. At @ 12:10 the graphic (for 107 w/in 400' of an object) seems to represent a dome. Does that have to do with the curved nature of top of your object being represented? If no should the graphic be rectangular...or would that only apply to a rectangular type of configuration of an object itself?

[@PilotInstitute]

Depends on the shape of the object you are flying over. If it’s pointy like the top of an antenna, then it’s a dome. 400 feet from the pointy part. If it’s a building with a flat top, then rectangular.

[@ponticelli]

Thanks Greg! Actually this is one of the part I always go back and look on the course (Part 107), to be sure in uncontrolled space I don’t need a waiver to do footage of buildings which are taller than 400ft flying commercial.

[@Pete_Furlong]

Awesome, thank you. I actually wasn't sure about the recreational flyer rules around a structure. Makes sense that it would be max 400 if the purpose is to allow for inspection, etc.

[@billbishop8915]

Great presentation. It answered a couple of questions I had.

[@markclark5446]

In Utah it is easy as a recreational flyer to get higher than 400 feet above where you are standing. We have many mountains up to 14000 feet high. If you stand in the valley and fly up the mountain slope maintaining 400' above the side of the mountain you are legal. Once the drone gets to say 9000`, the view of the valley several thousand feet below is spectacular.

[@joeljenkins9424]

I live in Utah, just got a drone and have been wondering if I can follow the slope. This video and your comment answered everything I needed.

[@YourReviewChannel]

Thank you for this video. I’m a new drone user.

[@CraigMullins1]

Another great video! You are the best in the industry!

[@ScottLawPhotography]

This cleared up a couple things for me as a recreational pilot. Thanks.

[@RobVanElven]

Fantastic explanations and graphics to illustrate the differences. Tnx for sharing.

[@hiddencompass5402]

Born in Prescott, Arizona! Immediately recognized the map! Yeauuh

[@gadget_Bob]

I live in the same general area as Greg does and am Part 107 certified. I sometimes fly for my company and am documenting a construction project that started in the Spring of 2020 and will end in the Fall of 2021. This project is in controlled airspace but is less than 1000 feet from the outside edge of the 5 mile radius from the airport. Nonetheless, it is still in a 0 foot grid. I have been requesting waivers to fly up to 300 feet in this grid and they have been approved. I like to fly every few weeks but since I don't know day I'll want to fly due to my schedule or the weather, I have been submitting waivers for every weekday since last spring and will continue to submit them until the project is complete (and actually probably longer because there are additional projects coming). I usually submit about 3 weeks worth of requests at a time. Sometimes it takes several days for them to be approved and sometimes (like 2 weeks ago) I got all 3 weeks approved the next day. I think the people approving these locally know me by now and don't need to read them closely. They all say the exact same thing. I only wish they had a way to request a period of time rather that a day at a time. I bet they wish they had it too. Its a pain but it's the rule....

[@shaynestephens]

Great, clear explanation, Greg. Thank you. Nice to see my old homestead in the chart you used around Prescott. :-)

[@DesertAdventuresinArizona]

This is a great video that explains the difference between what we can do as a Recreational vs Part 107. Thanks Greg.

[@sting1111]

As high as I want.

[@miller-joel]

"What is this?" "It's a request to lower the hard deck, sir!"

[@theonetruemorty4078]

VERY helpful video, great job!

[@steveharrigan7811]

I've put my 80" span Spitfire out of sight on a few occasions, over our flying field. Not sure about the actual numbers, but its a big aircraft, so in order for it to go bvr , I think it may have been a tad over 400ft. Been flying R/C for over 20 yrs. No one has ever come forward, or contacted me about my aircraft, and no one from the FAA has contacted our club, or shown the least amount of interest. Maybe the rules are different in Alberta?

[@KernsJW]

Badly phrased question. I can fly my drone as high as the battery allows. How high can I fly legally is a different question. Where they got the arbitrary numbers or how me flying lower than higher objects around me is a safety risk still baffle me. Your AGL to MGL comparison brings up a great point many of us never consider when it comes to flying around natural landscapes.

[@Thunderbyrd.]

Very good lesson, glad i watched.

[@dougcooper4917]

Excellent Greg!! Thank You!!

[@ChrisDembinsky]

@2:47 I think aviation should start referring to MSL as HBARO(Barometric Altitude) since that's really what they are using in most cases. The mean sea level has so many different datums to choose from. I realize aviation doesn't care what I think. Just a thought.

[@ChrisDembinsky]

@@FourthWayRanch I understand that but my point was that since aircraft use a barometer to determine MSL altitude they should just call it what it is. On the other hand... if GPS is the primary source for altitude of an aircraft then I could understand linking it to a datum and calling it MSL. I don't know what most aircraft use more barometric altitude or GPS altitude. I know at the time the FAA started using MSL it wasn't GPS, maybe now days it is.

[@usauas9703]

Great explanation of AGL and MSL.... thanks Greg... I’m not a UAS or aviation tech expert, but it seems to me that a lot of this could be solved by adding a downward sensor to measure AGL and report back to the RC via the telemetry for the pilot to consider and analyze during flight. It also would be a good forensic data capture should there be an accident or intentional infraction. Perhaps this will be something in future drones.....??? Thanks again for the lesson!!

[@PilotInstitute]

I think the cost might be prohibitive at the moment. DJI has sensors they use at the bottom of the drone but it only works up to 200 feet, and only works well at 100. The DJI FPV has the tech but I think it’s limited to 10 feet only.

[@timvirga1770]

Thanks for all your videos and work you do it's been very helpful, do you have any new information on the status of remote ID. I have a Mavic Air 2 zoom I purchased a couple of years ago and would like to know what I have to do to make it comply with remote id.

[@johnnyfiveo]

another great video. i live in los angeles. where would I find any city/county/state rules or laws regarding flying over private property. what if I'm hovering shooting an amazing sunset from 100 ft and the home owner flips out? I always wear a chest mounted gopro for any run ins. i realize that airspace is ONLY controlled by the FAA.

[@rhoover1988]

@@racefanwfo hey chief, not trying to be a dick, but when you deal with things like this as an adult, "don't fucking worry about it" isn't really acceptable. It's nice to go into these types of things armed with actual knowledge of laws so that you can defend yourself, hence why people ask questions. Stay woke bro.

[@miichaelhickey]

OK Greg. First I am signed up and have paid to take the Part 107 course. Too much good flying weather right now. Here is my question that I have wreslted with. I have a shot vid in mind. I am standing on the edge of a cliff about 700' MSL above the river. The elevation of the river is about 200' MSL. Sheer cliff wall down. When I leave the edge of the cliff I have to drop at least 100' to be at 400 MSL. That puts below where I took off from. How do I legally get back to my take off point? I realize that I am going in a negative direction foot wise as I go down. My shot was to do a Dronie from the take off point after doing a reveal up the side of the cliff from 100' down, which will make me at least 800' MSL. I have struggled with this and staying legal. Thanks Mike

[@dogstar7]

My question is Where do you expect the Drone Police to be standing? Will they be in line of sight when you are flying or do you expect someone to call them once you are airborne? Or will eye witnesses swear out affidavits after the fact? My point is, unless you are endangering life and limb the local authorities aren't interested and your local FSDO has other things to do.

[@PilotInstitute]

A great question and I'll give you the "legal" answer. It sounds like the cliff is about a 500-foot drop from the top where you are to where the bottom is. In that case, as soon as you get over that cliff, you are automatically more than 400 feet AGL and therefore not legal! With that said, the 400 ft rule is in place to provide traffic separation, I will argue all day with the FAA that if my being right at the edge of a cliff, 500 feet above the ground, I'm suddenly interfering with a manned aircraft, that manned aircraft has other things to worry about!! I think that as long as you are within X number of feet of a cliff wall, you should be able to be as high as you want from the ground, my two-cents and definitely not legal advice ;)

[@PilotInstitute]

@@dogstar7 Yep. I like to think of it as common sense flying. Apply good airmanship and follow the spirit of the law.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

This very question is why I obtained a Part 107 certificate. WITH the certificate you can fly over the edge of a cliff and it doesn't matter how far down it goes provided you are within 400 feet laterally of the cliff. I like to fly around canyon country and those canyons are typically a thousand or more feet vertical. I can launch at the bottom and go all the way to the top and then some, provided I am within 400 feet of an *envelope* that surrounds structures (including earth, cliffs and so on).

[@thomasmaughan4798]

P.S. As Greg hints, this canyon country *is* rather popular with powered parachutes, light aircraft and so on; they will zoom down a canyon very fast and also rather close to the ground. So I monitor the CTAF frequency and sometimes even ADS-B IN not that either work all that well in canyons.

[@GeologyDude]

Good information. One dumb question. If I am at the top of a 400 foot high cliff, what are the rules from flying off a topographic highland over the adjacent lowland? Is it like a building-changing altitude within 400 feet? Thx!

[@steveburton2410]

Great information...I am slowly absorbing. But, you touch on an issue I experienced yesterday (10-8-22) where I was attempting to follow the contour of Hayden Butte in Tempe, flying towards the top. Is there some way to overcome this ALL (Above Launch Level) problem?

[@shelsingh7867]

This was great! Thank you!

[@Wade6854]

Assuming certification, What if the structure is 375 AGL? Am I restricted to 25ft of clearance above the structure? All explanations I have seen address the structure being above 400ft. The rule is 400ft above a structure. Could one fly 430 above a 30ft structure?

[@guesswho4515]

ok i live in kentucky i live back in the boone docks between big mountains can i fly 400ft above the mountains with out the 107 if i go 400 ft up all i see is the mountains the closet airport is 30 miles from me

[@marksalamack6133]

Greg....an interesting discussion took place on Mavic Pilots Forum regarding flying along and encountering a cliff...you did comment, but further comments by people who interpret the wall of the cliff as "ground" indicate that not everyone "gets it"....any chance you could do a video with scenarios included with flying along at the top of the cliff...and flying along at the bottom of the cliff....and how AGL is impacted in each?...of course the cliff exceeds 400 feet in height...thank you

[@MrNathanmoe]

One thing I may have missed is what about part 107 pilots flying in airspace that needs approval (LAANC). I know that in LAANC approval areas the maximum AGL does not include structures but is it possible to to request authorization above 400 AGL when max altitude would be less than 400 above structure in the LAANC (class b over Miami skyline for example). Is this just done through FAA drone zone? And when applying would I request AGL above structure or surrounding ground?

[@EliteEventAZ]

Wonder if we can use skyebrowse with the mavic/smart controller combo (not rc pro) for those of us who dont want to use the RCN1

[@richardruda267]

Excellent!

[@petersmart1999]

I tend to set my max height to 360 on the controller,that's a pretty good height.Of course I also set my clocks 10 minutes fast,so I'm never late!

[@airheadbit1984]

Missing one scenario: Mountains with 9,800' peak, base at 6,600' flying up the side until reaching loss of VLOS

[@Dr.Octogon]

How is Class E vs Class B determined at 700ft? Also, I may have missed it but how does one transition from Class G to Class E?

[@justinbalinski8361]

One misconstrued idea is a part 107 certified operator can fly recreationally above 400 ft AGL near a tower to get higher. That’s simply not the case. When part 107 certified operators are flying recreationally they have to follow the recreational rules.

[@PilotInstitute]

Yep but no one who has part 107 has any good reasons to fly recreationally.

[@BrianRouse]

So as a recreational flyer, if I come up to that 700ft cell tower, I’m still limited to 400 ft?

[@alexanderm8061]

Great video. Thanks

[@frossbog]

So then, if I'm flying around town and there is a house that is 30' tall, I can fly up to 430' as long as I'm within 400 feet of that house, correct?

[@Tay-RaeProductions406]

Hi Greg! Great video but I'm still confused lol. If I am in a class E airspace before I even take off from the ground, (if this is even a thing) can I still go 400ft AGL and also utilize the 400ft above the nearest top end of a structure as long as I stay within 400ft of said structure AND have a part 107 license?

[@johnramirez4217]

Answer to this is no, since you can't fly in surface class E "E2" without authorization.

[@LeeSmithPhotography]

Thanks Greg for all the work you do! This was an excellent presentation!

[@johnramirez4217]

Is the diagram right? Shows a cylindrical shape around a cell phone tower as if 400 AGL extends diagonally outward with radius. I thought technically it would be a triangle shape for cell tower structure to follow "400 feet above the structure's uppermost limit" but maybe I'm wrong.

[@PilotInstitute]

A half circle at the top means the distance is always the same from the top of the structure.

[@DiscraftJunkies]

So I can fly up 4,636’ in La Pine Oregon?

[@chipsawdust5816]

Frankly at 400 AGL I often lose sight of my drone. I tend to fly no more than about 200' because of that. I am not yet a 107 drone operator but one of these days I may see a need to do that.

[@TheItalianWays]

So u think they leave 6 feet for safety net Incase something else happens?

[@nathanksimpson]

I was thinking about this yesterday as I took off from a bridge.

[@geezerpleasers_OG]

Very helpful video. I have a related question. I think I know the answer but I'm hoping I'm wrong. Is there any form of the 400 foot distance from an object rule that applies to natural landscape features? In other words, suppose there are two rock formations with steep cliffs, 300 feet apart, with a flat plain between them. The formations are each 800 feet above the flat plain. Can a Part 107 pilot fly a flat path 200 feet above the rock formations, but 1000 feet above the plain between them while crossing from the first rock formation to the second? Or, once the drone has passed over the first rock formation, does the pilot need to immediately bring the drone down to 400 feet above the plain, maintain that for 300 feet horizontally until the drone reaches the second rock formation, and then bring the drone back up to a height where it can fly above the second rock formation? At what point can the pilot start raising the height of the drone? If the rock formation has a sheer vertical face, then the pilot will be more than 400 feet above ground level while going up, no matter how close the drone is to the formation. This is not a hypothetical question for me. I frequently fly in areas with exactly this kind of situation.

[@gvc76]

That's an interesting question regarding natural formations. Are they treated the same as man-made obstacles, meaning that as long as you stay within 400ft from the nearest point you are OK? Or do you have to use the vertical distance from the ground, in which case, as soon as you are off the edge of a 500-ft tall sheer cliff e.g., you are violating the regulations? I would hope the former.

[@lantzevongkorad4084]

I thought the AMA said that you can go higher than 400ft if you are more than 3 miles away from an airport

[@dennisbrooks240]

Mean Sea Level averages out the tides.

[@joeglennaz]

I had a part one07 and like a dingdong I let it expire. What do I have to do to get it back? Do I have to retake the test all over again? I am private pilot with an instrument rating although I would not consider myself an instrument pilot at all I do consider myself a very good private pilot and flown all over Arizona up to Tahoe a little bit in the California. I’ve been enjoying your videos

[@PilotInstitute]

Joe, You can get current here: faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_content.aspx?cID=677

[@becool81]

One question. If you are positioned on a seagoing vessel more then 12 NM of the coast of US and there are no navy ships in the area what rules will apply? How high can you fly?

[@PilotInstitute]

Never had this question before! Good one! Yes, I think 12NM is beginning of international waters which technically means the FAA's authority would end. To be verified from a trusted source though.

[@fishycomics]

what if yougots absolute no communications and you fly, answer is always 400ft

[@princesfpvdrones]

@pilot institute May I suggest going over the new rules concerning waivers or no waivers for flying at night?

[@PilotInstitute]

Right here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sKOygH2GfbyZiqM

[@princesfpvdrones]

@@PilotInstitute Perfect! Thank you, just performed a contract that required me to fly at night so thank goodness, a special waiver was not required anymore, seeing as I already completed my current part 107 training.

[@penultimatename6677]

A curious thought. I completely get how and why the drone may think it is 10 feet off the ground. When in fact it could be hundreds of feet when flying from a mountain top to over a valley. Remote ID is supposed to transmit among other things the altitude of the drone. Unless it is also incorrect we should soon be able to know for sure the exact altitude. If correct it maybe the one thing that a drone pilot can use for one's benefit. If not then one could get in trouble for no reason. Assuming the mountain height is registering hundreds of feet rather than 10 feet for example. Of course I don't know what I am talking about and have the impression the FAA means geometric altitude. That sounds like math will be required when not on a flat surface like a mountain. Now I think I am likely turning this into something it isn't.

[@PilotInstitute]

Remote ID will transmit the altitude of the drone above takeoff point, the same data that is displayed on your controller for most drones. So if you legally fly above 400 feet above take off point (but below 400 feet above ground level), it might look like you’re flying illegally (which is not good!)

[@AndyCartwright]

Under part 107, could I technically use a tall building(within 400 ft of the sides) to fly up and get a much higher than normal perspective of the city for photography? (say the building is 1000 ft tall and I fly up to 1,400 ft while staying within 400 ft of the sides of the building and no clouds in the sky) Is this frowned upon for any reason? I know this rule is meant so you can inspect a tall building but it seems it could also be used to raise your perspective much higher than normal rules allow.

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes, as long as: - You're not taking off from airspace that requires approval (Class B, C, D, or E2) - Getting up to that altitude doesn't take you into airspace that requires approval (Class B, or C, which are layered) - You maintain visual line of sight the entire time - You don't break any other Part 107 rules that I can;t think of right now.

[@dronebuzz]

Thanks G! I understand more clearly now! Very helpful. :-) T

[@lutherhad]

hi i am a new drone user i live in New york . 400 ft but on my drone it says heigt what is 400ft in height ? .. what number do i look for on my drone ? do i stop at 400 ?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes. No higher than 400 feet. Go take a look at this free resource to help you with your first flight: pilotinstitute.com/course/recreational-flying-made-easy/

[@twinenk15]

i have an amateur radio technician license. My instructor stated you can fly a drone farther that someone with no license. The technician allows you to operate in a higher frequency allowing you to fly the drone farther. Is this correct? If so, how much farther?

[@PilotInstitute]

You have to fly the drone within visual line of sight. If you have a radio license, you can use certain transmitters that are more powerful but you are still stuck flying within visual line of sight.

[@dennisbrooks240]

If you are in a square along the edge of the shaded circle, but do not fly in the shaded area, you do not need LAANC filing and permission?

[@PilotInstitute]

No you don’t. The airspace itself is what matters and since the FAA uses squares to make a round shape, there’s always an area around the edge that’s outside the round airspace. That section does not require authorization.

[@kramdsm]

Thank you sir!

[@mlneale1959]

I have been able to use LAANC for approval in a 0 grid of class C airspace. It requires at least 48 hours lead time and less than 90 days. I received approval within 24 hours.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

Likewise. ATC approval via LAANC in a grid square where automatic authorization was zero in about two hours (I requested it two weeks in advance). The actual glide path of an arriving aircraft would be 700 feet AGL at that distance from the nearest threshold of the airport. At that proximity I was also using VO's, radio and ADS-B IN to observe air traffic and through careful planning and a bit of luck had about a 30 minute window with no air traffic overhead.

[@PeterWolfVT]

OK, I fly from mountainous terrain in VT, sometimes starting from lower elevations to higher and other times flying higher elevations to lower. Say I am at the top of a 4000 ft mountain and even if am flying at 200 feet above my takeoff altitiude of 4000' the terrain drops off quickly and will be above the 400' AGL as the terrain drops away. I can only estimate altitude between the 4000' summit and the 1000' base of the mountain, without an AGL sensor on the drone what is the best way to manage this estimation and should I really be overly concerned with this? With varried terrain what is the best way to maintain this 400" envelope?

[@schadlarry]

I'm in the same boat, flying up or down steep ridgelines. You just have to eyeball it but you'll most likely go over that 400 ft threshold. If there are no aircraft and people in the area I wouldn't sweat it, just don't go nuts with it and be a couple 1000 feet AGL.

[@oak3076]

One small thing confuses me. How can you fly a drone more than a 1000 ft. away from yourself and still be able to physically see the craft, VLOS. Ex. 700 ft tower and 400 ft. over that tower, plus the distance from you to the the tower. That is grossly beyond VLOS. At least I don't believe they mean I think that dot is my craft?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes, I should have mentioned that in the video, VLOS is still required!! You may or may not be able to see the drone when you fly that high, depends on the size of the drone and your visual acuity.

[@drakejdf]

I don’t think most obey the vlos rule.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

"How can you fly a drone more than a 1000 ft. away from yourself and still be able to physically see the craft, VLOS. Ex. 700 ft tower and 400 ft. over that tower, plus the distance from you to the the tower." You may well be thinking of a tiny Mavic. Not all drones are "quad-copters"; it might be a huge 8-bladed octo-copter that can be seen with the naked eye a mile away. It might have high intensity directional lights on it (as does mine) to increase visual range and also determine its attitude (more or less). It might even be a remotely piloted fixed-wing aircraft of considerable size.

[@jerseyshoredroneservices225]

Depending on the conditions it's pretty easy to see a phantom that's a thousand feet away. Now if you lose sight of it and hadn't taken note of about where it was relative to some feature on the ground, it can be hard to find it again. As long as you keep your eye on it you can see it pretty far (in favorable conditions)

[@bobboyd8076]

is there a drone that has a sensor looking straight down that will indicate the AGL? that would be really a great option.

[@PilotInstitute]

Not at the moment. The DJI FPV has one but it’s limited to 10 feet.

[@UltraVegas76]

Did anyone ever get the answer to the questions about flying above 400' but within 400' of a mountain or cliff if you are Part 107? FAA states structures but does not defie structures but also makes no specific mention of it having to be man-made... @PilotInstitute ?

[@MrPlaneTalk]

If I am a Part 107 pilot, but am "operating" as "Recreational flight," can I apply the 400 feet within obstacle concept?

[@PilotInstitute]

You can conduct recreational flights under the Part 107 rules so yes, you can use the "400ft-obstacle rule".

[@jakubphotography]

Question: One location of my worksites falls in a 0' controlled airspace area, but the building itself is appx. 100' tall. Can I (as a recreational) fly around this building at all, keeping my flight lower than the top of the building? It seems like if there's any conflict with an airplane, we have much larger problems on hand than my drone.

[@PilotInstitute]

Unfortunately no. What you are talking about is "shielded operations" which is not a recognized practice by the FAA.

[@Paiadakine]

Thanks for this video lesson. I have a question: What about if you take off on top of a 400 ft sea side bluff out side of controlled airspace, climb to 1 ft above the bluff surface, then fly over the water without changing the aircraft Altitude MSL, am I in violation of the 400 ft agl rule? Assume this is a bluff in the United States, there are no people below the bluff, daytime.

[@PilotInstitute]

Yep, 400 feet AGL means the drone is never more than 400 feet above the ground, so if you start from the top of a mountain, as you move forward and the mountain starts to drop, you too have to drop to maintain 400 feet.

[@Paiadakine]

@@PilotInstitute Thank you for taking the time to respond. That is how I and my friends read it. The bluff analogy was to make it the worst case. A very abrupt terrain altitude change. To fly this example and keep my feet dry, I could only do this under part 107 with an approved waiver to fly greater than 400 over the water adjacent to the bluff. Recreational pilot cannot and would have to launch from the water below. Is that correct?

[@isaacdavilaphotography8705]

I'm finding myself flying lower and lower for the compositions I am looking for.

[@DGM-TW]

Hi there Very nice video Thanks for all the information you always share, super useful I just have one doubt If i have the part 107 And i am at a high rise building rooftop which is at 700ft agl. And it is a uncontrolled airspace And i will take off from that rooftop, it meas i can fly above 400 ft from the rooftop (which will be 1,100 ft agl) of that building and take the drone at a radius of 400ft You explain in the video as a recreational flyer cannot do that But then when you gave the example as a part 107, you explain just about taking of from ground and take the drone up to the tower But didnt mention about taking off from the roof of a high rise building As taking off from the roof of the building will provide better visibility than taking off from the ground

[@PilotInstitute]

Diego, yes, as part 107, you could take off from the top of a 700 foot building and fly 400 feet on top of that.

[@DGM-TW]

@@PilotInstitute thank you very much

[@bikentrike]

@@PilotInstitute Here's where I get confused. As soon as you would move away from directly over the building you're at 1100' AGL. Is that legal?

[@gregreverdiau246]

@@bikentrike Under Part 107, yes, as long as you're within 400 feet laterally.

[@bikentrike]

@@gregreverdiau246 Thanks Greg. Your answer implies that the 400' lateral rule doesn't apply to recreational pilots. Another good reason to get the Part 107 license.

[@sapphiresphone7144]

I thought i heard that groups like the ama can get special authorization to fly above 400 as rec. Can a recreational flier make those sorts of requests, or does it require the lawyers of a group like ama?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes they can and you will need to be an established group to submit those requests and get approved.

[@eagleeyeviewimages]

good channel

[@dogstar7]

There is a very popular YT droner who is well known for flying high over a valley in Hawaii and another who flies out over the lip of the Snake River Canyon. Not gonna name names

[@xtoorgaming3982]

Oh you mean dustin dunhill? Yah im a snitch 😬

[@petersmart1999]

@@xtoorgaming3982 I can't believe the FAA isn't out grabbing alot of these guys on you tube,another guy on a sailing channel definitely didn't have a license,he mentioned fly over an area and then let everyone know it was a registered national park.I asked him several time if he had a part 107,but no reply! For the FAA, it would be like shooting fish on a barrel!

[@_presidential.]

Hey!! I have multiple drones, I have a traveler 111, dji phantom 4, inspire 2, mavic 2 and mini 2 I also have an fpv drone and I want to know how high the traveler 111 can fly because I'm planning on giving it to my little cousin because I don't use and he told me to find out how high it can go can you help me out??

[@PilotInstitute]

It doesn't matter how high it can fly. 400 feet above the ground is your limit if you fly in the United States.

[@shinde59]

if we are flying through a valley and operating the drone from top of the valley will it fall under regulation for recreational flyer?

[@PilotInstitute]

Recretaional rules are only if you're flying for recreational purposes, not about where you are flying.

[@shinde59]

@@PilotInstitute than k you for the reply. my concern was whether 400ft is only calculated downward or is it a radius/sphere around the flyer?

[@dennisbrooks240]

Topographical photo maps that give lines of ground height?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yes, you would then need to figure out the relative height based on where you are.

[@411RandomUser]

Question to anyone. If my HOA says no taking off or landing on common HOA property, can I hand take off and hand land and be technically not violating the HOA rules since I'm performing these actions in the air that is governed by the FAA and not the HOA?

[@Jbeales2]

Unfortunately they can post rules on where you can take off and land, and hand launching or trying to launch from your car or anything like that would still fall under those rules that they are trying to enforce. They may not be able to police those rules but they can still post them. Now you can take off from private property like your own home, or a public street, and fly over any portion as the FAA does control the airspace no matter where it is. Again they may try to say you can't but they would never be able to enforce that legally. If your HOA says you can't launch or land from a pool area or picnic area or anything of that nature then that is their right to make that request. Best option would be launched somewhere where you are allowed and fly over whatever you need to at a safe height.

[@411RandomUser]

@@Jbeales2 thanks for your quick reply. So in essence, your hand is holding the drone and your feet are on the ground so you're technically on HOA property correct? You're body is connecting the drone to the ground. I wonder if the FAA would come to the same conclusion? Interesting topic. Thanks again!

[@Jbeales2]

@@411RandomUser yeah it's a matter of "the space you occupied" during the launch or landing. Highly doubt the FAA would ever even offer an opinion on this. The only launch/landing areas I've ever seen them mention is national parks and NFZ areas like that. What's considered to be private property like the common area you mentioned would fall into local law misconstrued idea of trespassing. Even if it's not correct, that's normally the only thing uninformed LEOs have to fall back on.

[@KeyPointProductionsVA]

Huh, the part about only 107 rules allowing over 400 ft if above an obstacle, well I’ll brush up on my 107 rules and fly with that from now on.

[@jgetscensored7837]

Pro hack: Tie a baggie full of dirt and grass to your drone. Then you’re always just six inches above ground. 😎

[@PilotInstitute]

haha good one. Sadly, even 6" above the gorund is considered FAA airspace. Put it so it touches the landing gear then hire a good lawyer :D

[@tecgeetech1304]

getting an authorization to fly in an area for 1 or 2 hours does that really mean 1 or 2 hours or is it for the entire day?

[@PilotInstitute]

LAANC is time specific but it’s easy to submit a new request if you still need it.

[@tecgeetech1304]

@@PilotInstitute thks for the quick response

[@buddyadkins2432]

Ok. What about manned aircraft's "floor" and is there a difference for planes, helicopters, military craft?? I know that unmanned aircraft must yield to manned aircraft. Say I am flying at 250 feet AGL and spin the quad around and see a manned aircraft right next to me; at the 250 feet AGL altitude. Sure, I must get out of the way. If he hits my drone before I can get out of the way, who is at fault? Where sometimes fly, the trees are about 60-80 feet tall. Planes often fly over low enough that I can read the letters on the wings. Sometimes planes fly over just barely higher than the trees. I pretty much know that these aircraft are lower than 400 feet; in the space where I should be able to fly. No, it is Not near an airport. It is rural farmland with forested areas and some residential. Helicopters also seem to be pretty low. Most of the planes are small, single engine, painted white with blue wingtips. On of the planes appears to be a very powerful, yellow, single engine plane. This guy is barely above the trees. Please explain. Thank You.

[@RudyNortz]

I have to keep reminding myself that when Greg says "drone" he is talking about multirotors with GPS on board. How do fixed wing flyers with no GPS and no FPV in a FRIA convince the FAA or law enforcement that they are flying below 400 ft and staying within the boundaries of the FRIA?

[@PilotInstitute]

I don’t think it’s about convincing the FAA. The way most aeromodelling groups teach to figure out altitude is to take your RC plane 400 feet away and get a mental picture of what it looks like.

[@ClayKirby1]

The city of Houston requires drone pilots to be at least 18 years old, register the drone with FAA, fly drones not heavier than 55 lbs, fly during daylight hours only and have the ability to fly above 500 feet. So how is that law legal? The way I understand that It will keep all recreational drone pilots from flying

[@PilotInstitute]

Can you share a link to these rules?

[@TheItalianWays]

I was up last night Greg and tryed to get to 400 ft I got to 393 us

[@harrytmurphy8438]

First confusion, you mention the controller knowing the altitude? Is this a DJI thing because the controllers we use have no such altitude "knowledge" unless there is an on board GPS or barometer. The OSD representation comes from that resource which is either based on GPS geometry or barometric pressure; both of which have nothing to do with where the controller is located. Now, DJI may have something different, but there are a lot of recreational pilots that DON'T fly DJI gear. Next, you mention Airports as controlled airspace, however, there are other NO FLY zones such as National Parks, Military Compounds, ballistic test ranges, etc. AirMap and B4UFLY both show these areas, however, some of the FAA Facilities maps do not. Regardless, these are NO FLY zones that are NOT airports.

[@PilotInstitute]

If your drone is not equipped with a GPS or barometer, it is indeed going to be difficult to figure out what altitude you are flying at. As far as airspace, this was not intended as an airspace lecture, there are indeed lots of other restrictions but keep in mind that some that you mention are ground-based restrictions and not airspace restrictions. All federal airspace restrictions will be found on the FAA UAS facility map (faa.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=9c2e4406710048e19806ebf6a06754ad)

[@harrytmurphy8438]

@@PilotInstitute Need a login to access the link, so can't tell anything about it. Ok, so this video is not about airspace. National Parks are airspace NO FLY zones, you might want to take a closer look at that. Both AirMap and B4UFLY show them as No Fly zones.

[@PilotInstitute]

@@harrytmurphy8438 National Parks are not airspace restrictions, they have ground restrictions (governed by NPS rules). You could fly OVER a park but you can't operate TO and FROM the Park. Should you? We discourage people from doing it because we believe it's a bad idea but you could. The only exception to that is the Grand Canyon which has special airspace rules.

[@garritj]

very clear... well put information. I love trying to explain this to people who don't fly drones. I get a lot of "Why?"

[@roottv8417]

You should do video on how high can you be while flying a drone as well.😁🤣🙃😁

[@PilotInstitute]

That’d be pretty short :P

[@roottv8417]

@@PilotInstitute lol I'm joking I'm joking maybe get cheech and Chong to make guest appearances lol it probably cost ya a drone or 2 but be epic video...just joking 😁

[@ModernDayTemplar606]

👍

[@sudburydrone466]

👍👍✌️

[@nick92065]

I never fly over 200 ft high. That is just me. I fly and live at see level so I am not confused.

[@thomasmaughan4798]

How high can I fly my drone? Well, if I climb a nearby mountain to an elevation of 10000 MSL, I can fly the drone to 10400 MSL, provided of course there's no air traffic in the immediate vicinity, no TFR's or other airspace restrictions and that it isn't in a flight restricted wilderness area.

[@jean-chridrone6026]

I think the same 😀. Is it right? Are the européen rules the same for that?

[@PilotInstitute]

Yep, you can, that’s what I show in the AGL vs MSL graphs.

[@MrMusic55123]

I think dji mini can go up to 1000ft without loosing signal, the 400ft was probably made for older drones that loose signal at high altitude

[@PilotInstitute]

400 feet was chosen because manned aircraft can go to 500 feet in most areas (with helicopters going lower too). It was not chosen because of technological limitations.

[@dheller777]

@@PilotInstitute I see Paramotors can fly just about wherever they want to as far as height I don't think there are any maximum or minimums from what i can see on many of the KZbin paramotor channels., There seems to be a lot less restrictions on them than there are on drones. Any reason why this would be true?

[@PilotInstitute]

@@dheller777 There are actually a lot of restrictions for where they can fly (airspace-wise) but otherwise they are sharing the uncontrolled airspace. The problem with drones is that all you have access to is the FPV camera view. When you're sitting in an aircraft, you can turn your head and have a much wider field of view. That's the only reason the FAA still has issues with line of sight for drones.

[@kendonnelly3248]

Nice video. Sad for glider flyers

[@jmpublicvideos]

New fan Family’s house is in a class 2E flight path according to alot app NO LAANC supported Let’s say trees in back yard at 100ft I’m recreational hobbyist Dji M3P Registered anyway Why would I have to call local airport if I fly below the highest tree???