Sadie said:
I haven’t seen anyone mention this, so I will. You CAN fly higher than 400ft in a specific situation: if you’re within 400 feet horizontally of a structure like a building or tower. Other aircraft have to stay more than 400 feet above structures, so drones are allowed to fly close to them and go up to 400ft over the structure.
You still need to have a part 107 license, be in the right airspace, and stay 500ft below cloud cover.
How do you check that you’re staying 500ft below cloud cover?
You usually don’t have to worry about it unless it’s foggy. You’ll notice when clouds are low enough to be a problem.
The only time you need to be careful is if you’re flying 400ft over tall buildings that are close to the clouds. If you’re a certified pilot, you can check a METAR report to see cloud levels. For example, clouds in my area are starting at 6000ft today.
Sadie said:
I haven’t seen anyone mention this, so I will. You CAN fly higher than 400ft in a specific situation: if you’re within 400 feet horizontally of a structure like a building or tower. Other aircraft have to stay more than 400 feet above structures, so drones are allowed to fly close to them and go up to 400ft over the structure.
You still need to have a part 107 license, be in the right airspace, and stay 500ft below cloud cover.
How do you check that you’re staying 500ft below cloud cover?
The free Aloft app shows cloud cover percentage and altitude above ground level (AGL).
SophyGenesis said: Sadie said:
I haven’t seen anyone mention this, so I will. You CAN fly higher than 400ft in a specific situation: if you’re within 400 feet horizontally of a structure like a building or tower. Other aircraft have to stay more than 400 feet above structures, so drones are allowed to fly close to them and go up to 400ft over the structure.
You still need to have a part 107 license, be in the right airspace, and stay 500ft below cloud cover.
How do you check that you’re staying 500ft below cloud cover?
The free Aloft app shows cloud cover percentage and altitude above ground level (AGL).
QuadcopterQueen said: Tracy said: QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
Of course not, officer, that’s against the rules.
Let’s talk in third person to avoid self-incrimination. Do you think someone might fly over 400ft?
Probably only to avoid obstacles or if they were in the middle of nowhere. But I haven’t flown mine yet; had to send it in for an exchange because of a faulty controller battery.
Gotcha. Yeah, I wouldn’t fly above 400ft in the city. I use a flight radar app and see helicopters at 600ft. I wouldn’t fly at 400ft, maybe not even 100ft, if a helicopter’s nearby.
SophyGenesis said: Sadie said:
I haven’t seen anyone mention this, so I will. You CAN fly higher than 400ft in a specific situation: if you’re within 400 feet horizontally of a structure like a building or tower. Other aircraft have to stay more than 400 feet above structures, so drones are allowed to fly close to them and go up to 400ft over the structure.
You still need to have a part 107 license, be in the right airspace, and stay 500ft below cloud cover.
How do you check that you’re staying 500ft below cloud cover?
If you pay for the member version of UAV Forecast, it will show cloud cover altitude. FAA weather forecasts also tell you cloud ceiling heights, which is part of the part 107 test. Here’s a link on how the FAA gathers cloud height data using radar and pilot reports: FAA Handbook.
Thanks, I appreciate the info. I passed the test but know there’s still a lot to learn to stay safe.
SophyGenesis said: Sadie said:
I haven’t seen anyone mention this, so I will. You CAN fly higher than 400ft in a specific situation: if you’re within 400 feet horizontally of a structure like a building or tower. Other aircraft have to stay more than 400 feet above structures, so drones are allowed to fly close to them and go up to 400ft over the structure.
You still need to have a part 107 license, be in the right airspace, and stay 500ft below cloud cover.
How do you check that you’re staying 500ft below cloud cover?
If you pay for the member version of UAV Forecast, it will show cloud cover altitude. FAA weather forecasts also tell you cloud ceiling heights, which is part of the part 107 test. Here’s a link on how the FAA gathers cloud height data using radar and pilot reports: FAA Handbook.
UAV Forecast is one of the best app purchases I’ve made. The wind speed at altitude feature is especially useful for hyperlapse flights.
Dolph said: SophyGenesis said: Sadie said:
I haven’t seen anyone mention this, so I will. You CAN fly higher than 400ft in a specific situation: if you’re within 400 feet horizontally of a structure like a building or tower. Other aircraft have to stay more than 400 feet above structures, so drones are allowed to fly close to them and go up to 400ft over the structure.
You still need to have a part 107 license, be in the right airspace, and stay 500ft below cloud cover.
How do you check that you’re staying 500ft below cloud cover?
If you pay for the member version of UAV Forecast, it will show cloud cover altitude. FAA weather forecasts also tell you cloud ceiling heights, which is part of the part 107 test. Here’s a link on how the FAA gathers cloud height data using radar and pilot reports: FAA Handbook.
UAV Forecast is one of the best app purchases I’ve made. The wind speed at altitude feature is especially useful for hyperlapse flights.
Totally agree. I used the free version for a while, but eventually upgraded because I use it so often. It’s well worth the $25 a year.
CathyGenesis said:
I’m not in the US, but the rule is 400ft in the UK too. I rarely fly above 200ft though. The footage gets boring beyond that height.
Exactly. It’s like looking at Google Maps at that point.
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
People always ask me how high the drone can go, but all the cool shots are under 400ft. To me, it’s just a flying camera, and the photos get less interesting the higher I go.
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
I’ve gone higher, but I got authorization. I work near some military airbases and see their trainers overhead all the time. I wanted to fly near work, so I contacted the watch commander and submitted a basic flight plan. They ended up giving me permission to fly higher than 400ft because it was their airspace and clear at the time.
I called them before taking off, and after I landed. Had a great time, though the photos at 600ft weren’t much different from 400ft. I think it’s best to avoid drawing attention to the hobby, so I try to keep a low profile.
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
Of course not, officer, that’s against the rules.
Let’s talk in third person to avoid self-incrimination. Do you think someone might fly over 400ft?
Tracy said: QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
Of course not, officer, that’s against the rules.
Let’s talk in third person to avoid self-incrimination. Do you think someone might fly over 400ft?
Probably only to avoid obstacles or if they were in the middle of nowhere. But I haven’t flown mine yet; had to send it in for an exchange because of a faulty controller battery.
Tracy said: QuadcopterQueen said: Tracy said: QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
Of course not, officer, that’s against the rules.
Let’s talk in third person to avoid self-incrimination. Do you think someone might fly over 400ft?
Probably only to avoid obstacles or if they were in the middle of nowhere. But I haven’t flown mine yet; had to send it in for an exchange because of a faulty controller battery.
Gotcha. Yeah, I wouldn’t fly above 400ft in the city. I use a flight radar app and see helicopters at 600ft. I wouldn’t fly at 400ft, maybe not even 100ft, if a helicopter’s nearby.
Good thinking, helicopters definitely have the right of way.
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
There’s another exception the FAA allows: you can go above 400ft to avoid a collision. Say you’re at 350ft and a helicopter crosses at 220ft. You can gain altitude to avoid a collision, then return below 400ft once it’s passed.
If you’ve been flying above 400ft for 10 minutes before the helicopter appears, though, it’ll look suspicious.
QuadcopterQueen said:
Last week I asked how everyone keeps their drone in line of sight, since it’s the law, but it’s hard when flying far or high. Most people said they don’t always keep it in sight.
Today, I’m curious if anyone flies higher than the 400ft limit. Do any of you ever go above that height?
Nope, I don’t want to ruin the hobby. People already don’t like drones, so I avoid giving them more reasons to tighten the rules.
