If I’m in Dallas, Texas, and want to take pictures of the nighttime lights on skyscrapers, is there a legal way to fly a drone above 400 feet? For example, Reunion Tower is 561 feet tall. Is there any way to get higher than that legally?
You can fly above 400 feet, but there are strict conditions. First, you must have a Part 107 certification. Recreational pilots flying under USC 44809 cannot fly higher than 400 feet above ground level.
The rule for Part 107 pilots:
- You can fly within a 400-foot radius of a structure and go up to 400 feet above the top of that structure.
However, Dallas is in Class B airspace. For Reunion Tower specifically, the maximum altitude allowed is 400 feet. Even with a Part 107, you cannot exceed that without special authorization.
@Grady
Not impossible, but you’ll need manual authorization. You can request this a month or two in advance. If it’s for flying near a building like Reunion Tower, they might grant it, but you must have Part 107 certification for this process.
@Cary
In this area, LAANC auto authorization only goes up to 400 feet. To go higher, you’d need to submit a request for manual authorization. If you’re staying within 400 feet of the structure both horizontally and vertically, and you have Part 107, it might be approved. Also, there are other tall buildings nearby that aren’t in Class B airspace, which could simplify things. Use a LAANC app to check airspace restrictions around your target location.
@Keenan
Which apps do you recommend?
Blaine said:
@Keenan
Which apps do you recommend?
Aloft Air Control is a good option, and it supports manual authorization requests. Just note that not all apps allow you to request heights above 400 feet, so you may need to explore other options.
Blaine said:
@Keenan
Which apps do you recommend?
I use Air Control and Airdata UAV. Both are decent for LAANC, but they don’t always show all the airspace details clearly. For a full view, I recommend cross-referencing with sectional charts. You can check the FAA’s approved LAANC app list to find one that fits your needs: https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/b4ufly.
@Keenan
Is B4UFly still supported?
Taylor said:
@Keenan
Is B4UFly still supported?
Not directly, but the FAA page links to authorized apps. B4UFly was replaced by more advanced tools.
Taylor said:
@Keenan
Is B4UFly still supported?
Not directly, but the FAA page links to authorized apps. B4UFly was replaced by more advanced tools.
Got it, thanks!
If you have a Part 107 certification, you can fly 400 feet above a structure as long as you stay within 400 feet horizontally from it. This also requires LAANC authorization if the airspace is controlled.
@Stevie
True, but for areas like Dallas, you can’t go beyond 400 feet AGL in Class B airspace without manual authorization. LAANC auto-approval won’t allow it.
If you’re asking this question, I’m guessing you don’t have a Part 107 certification. For this flight, you’d need both the certification and manual authorization, as it exceeds what LAANC can automatically approve.
Here’s a potential issue: In Dallas, you can fly recreationally with restrictions, but commercial flights under Part 107 might require additional state or local approvals. Recreational flights can’t go above 400 feet AGL, so it seems neither option might work for flying above Reunion Tower. Hopefully, someone local can clarify.
One workaround is to take off from the roof of a tall building and fly 400 feet above your takeoff point. That’s allowed under Part 107 but still limited by airspace rules.