- Joined
- Feb 26, 2017
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- 36
Hey guys and gals. I just wanted to share my experience with my first drone flight within a control towers airspace.
It started off with a slow day at the office and beautiful weather. (Gotta love being able to bring the mavic to and from work in a messenger bag with my laptop.) Well we decided to kill sometime this afternoon to fly. I knew we were close to the airport as we have planes buzzing by all the time. I went to google and searched "airport name control tower phone number". I was given their generic airport line.
I called the number and hit 0 for the operator. I let her know I intended to fly a drone within the airspace. She already knew who I needed to talk to and gave me the direct number for the tower since she was unable to transfer me. I called the tower and after the initial pleasantries I let them know I was going to be flying a drone in a little bit. He asked where I would be flying. I let him know the cross streets were I was at. He was able to see on his end there wasn't a conflict. He asked what altitude I would be flying at. I advised him just over rooftop here so probably no more than 100 feet. He reminded me to keep it below 400 feet and call back when I am done flying. He said he would advise anyone that may be effected by me (helicopters more than likely). He thanked me for calling and we were off the phone. I flew through a couple batteries and called back to let them know I was finished flying.
The airport staff was very courteous and professional and gave me 0 flack. They thanked me for calling and in total between the two calls it took less than 5 minutes of my day to do the right thing.
I hope this helps with anyone who is curious about flying within control towered airspace.
It started off with a slow day at the office and beautiful weather. (Gotta love being able to bring the mavic to and from work in a messenger bag with my laptop.) Well we decided to kill sometime this afternoon to fly. I knew we were close to the airport as we have planes buzzing by all the time. I went to google and searched "airport name control tower phone number". I was given their generic airport line.
I called the number and hit 0 for the operator. I let her know I intended to fly a drone within the airspace. She already knew who I needed to talk to and gave me the direct number for the tower since she was unable to transfer me. I called the tower and after the initial pleasantries I let them know I was going to be flying a drone in a little bit. He asked where I would be flying. I let him know the cross streets were I was at. He was able to see on his end there wasn't a conflict. He asked what altitude I would be flying at. I advised him just over rooftop here so probably no more than 100 feet. He reminded me to keep it below 400 feet and call back when I am done flying. He said he would advise anyone that may be effected by me (helicopters more than likely). He thanked me for calling and we were off the phone. I flew through a couple batteries and called back to let them know I was finished flying.
The airport staff was very courteous and professional and gave me 0 flack. They thanked me for calling and in total between the two calls it took less than 5 minutes of my day to do the right thing.
I hope this helps with anyone who is curious about flying within control towered airspace.
