Per FAA guidelines. I just wanted to know if people are pick and choosing what they want to follow from FAA or everything, especially from the can't believe vyou fly above 400 feet crowd.
Didn't make it up and i reference my source.
Flying over 400ft Altitude with my P3S? o.O
- Thread starter MileHighSpeedPursuit
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Didn't make it up and i reference my source.
msinger
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Perhaps someone copied the guidelines incorrectly when they built that site. On the official FAA site, the guidelines read as follows:
"Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles"
"Fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles"
There is a very old pilots saying that if you crash to destroy the radio, because you know it won't work when you really need it - so at least you'll know why, and to burn the log books!
I chuckled at the wording of this. Lol.
Did you read the manual?
Did you read the manual?
What worries me. More than anything. Low flying private planes. A portion of them could be law enforcement. They fly between 300 and 1000 feet. Their paths are totally unpredictable.
Those planes are the most likely to have a serious problem during a collision as well.
Use your ears. These things make lots of noise if you pay attention. They fly so low seeing them coming from far off is next to impossible with any tree line.
If you do fly high pay attention to the wind. 5 mph on the ground and it could be 45 at 300 feet.
As far as getting up over 400". It's all fun until something goes wrong. I've said so before. You don't wanna be that guy.
Those planes are the most likely to have a serious problem during a collision as well.
Use your ears. These things make lots of noise if you pay attention. They fly so low seeing them coming from far off is next to impossible with any tree line.
If you do fly high pay attention to the wind. 5 mph on the ground and it could be 45 at 300 feet.
As far as getting up over 400". It's all fun until something goes wrong. I've said so before. You don't wanna be that guy.
RodPad
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My house is at 1050', Just now using google maps the top of the hill East of my house .5 miles away and it is 1800' minus the trees. I would assume those trees are about 100' to 150' same as around my house. One of these days I am going to give it a try. So if a set my limit at 1100' and make sure I am about 1050' when I get to the top to clear the trees. I would need of coarse a super calm day and somebody watching the numbers including speed since the wind usually blows West to East. Maybe the first attempt another person watching with binoculars just to keep out of trouble.
There is no law or regulation against flying over 400'. I'm not condoning it, just pointing this out. It's a recommendation from the FAA to fly below this altitude and a good rule of thumb.
As far as the need, there are times when that altitude is needed to get a photo. Of course, it's never required that a person needs to obtain a photo. The following shot is an example though. I'm pretty sure I needed to get up to 1000' to get this photo. I've only ever flown this high that one time. I've flown up to 500' about 10 times and 99% of the time I'm at 300'.
Good point...breaking 400 feet is not breaking the "law" but they sure make you feel like it is.
The FAA defines "flying safe" below 400 ft. They offer only guidelines or suggestions on how to fly safe. Flying beyond 400 ft is challenging because you can't see or hear the drone very well. The idea is to fly safe and be able to see your drone at all times. You don't drive your car if you can't see where you are going!
I think I've had mine up to 200' a few times. It looks pretty blinkin' small at that altitude. I'm not sure I could see it at all at 400 feet up!
msinger
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Well, you should stop flying through forests of redwood trees. The obstacles are much lower in most other places
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I just had my first flight EVER... no problems... . I kept it simple flew in an empty space, kept it pretty low to the ground too and in sight always.
I felt pretty confident though, I followed every step and read every doc possible.
I watch like 3 different firmware videos to ensure I was doing it right too. HAHA.
. I kept it simple flew in an empty space, kept it pretty low to the ground too and in sight always.I felt pretty confident though, I followed every step and read every doc possible.
I watch like 3 different firmware videos to ensure I was doing it right too. HAHA.
I fly missions where my copter is well above 400', even nearing the 500m (~1600') limit - and I never put the copter more than 100' AGL on those missions. I have always thought that there would NEVER be any fixed-wing craft or helicopters where I fly some of my missions. Yesterday (I was not flying), I watched as a F&G copter flew up and down several canyons where I fly missions - probably doing a game count - and it crossed UNDER a few paths where I fly. I will never say never again. I will be reassessing some recon missions where my copter goes BVR.
"Checking the box on the federal registration webpage signifies an understanding of the 400 foot guideline. This is an important safety principle that all UAS operators need to be aware of, and is the same guideline established in AC 91-57 published in 1981. However, the placement of this guideline on the FAA website is intended as an educational piece and more specifically intended for those operating outside of AMA’s safey program."
If we ALL don't fly responsibly, photograph responsibly Big Brother will tighten things up on us! Here in GA fighting HB 779 that would severely hamper where we could fly! The last thing we need if for some people getting caught not following the FAA guidelines to derail the fight!!!!!
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