Can you?? Fly to 5000 feet??

[Bad Santa]

So, this summer I'd like to do a small, informational, flight.

My original idea was to use a rocket but I'd rather use a drone.

Anyhow, it requires a camera to go up 5000 feet.

Is it possible to get a temporary clearance to fly that high with a drone via contact with the FAA?

The entire flight would be less than a half hour. It's a straight up and back down plan.

 

[GFields]

Very unlikely.

 

[sarahb]

what drone that has the battery capability to fly that high and back on a single charge.

 

[msinger]

Is it possible to get a temporary clearance to fly that high with a drone via contact with the FAA?

There's only one way to find out.

Apply for a waiver and see what they say.

 

[Bad Santa]

what drone that has the battery capability to fly that high and back on a single charge.

Part of the experiment.
But I'm confident the Mini 4 can.
400 feet comes up really fast.

 

[msinger]

But I'm confident the Mini 4 can.
400 feet comes up really fast.

That would be easy, and there would be plenty of battery to spare. The real challenge would be overcoming the firmware's height restriction.

 

[Bad Santa]

That would be easy, and there would be plenty of battery to spare. The real challenge would be overcoming the firmware's height restriction.

Does it have a built in maximum?
I know I can set it more than the 400 allowed normally. I don't know how much further I can set it though.

 

[mavic3usa]

I remember this thread from awhile back:

Z

Thread 'No Height restriction'

Jul 29, 2023

First let Me say, I am Not a drone pilot. I Own 7 3/4 acres of Desert land. It is basically surrounded By Federal lands, outside of Palm Springs. If a Person were to Open a Drone Port with No Height limit would that be something of interest to Drone Pilots as a Vacation Destination?
I thought maybe Having some sort of Yearly height competition or Red Bull sponsored event.
I'm Just wondering if it's a Viable Idea or if there would even be any interest at all.
any input would be awesome. Thanks for Reading.

• ztuz67
• Replies: 131
• Forum: General Discussions

• 

 

[msinger]

Does it have a built in maximum?

500 meters

 

[Bad Santa]

500 meters

Hmm.
Just did a tiny search and it appear it might be possible to get a custom unlock from DJI if one has an FAA waiver.
Again, hmm.

 

[Cafguy]

I think it would also depend a bunch on where you do it also I would think at the North pole they would maybe almost give you a permit I don't think you stand a chance in many more places maybe over the ocean or the Mojave.

 

[Dronecation]

So, this summer I'd like to do a small, informational, flight.

My original idea was to use a rocket but I'd rather use a drone.

Anyhow, it requires a camera to go up 5000 feet.

Is it possible to get a temporary clearance to fly that high with a drone via contact with the FAA?

The entire flight would be less than a half hour. It's a straight up and back down plan.

Find a mountain nearby that's 4600 feet in height and take off from the top...

 

[Bad Santa]

Find a mountain nearby that's 4600 feet in height and take off from the top...

Been there, done that.
Not from the top, though.

 

[Meta4]

what drone that has the battery capability to fly that high and back on a single charge.

Most do ... at 5 metres/sec up and down, it would take the Mini 4 pro a little over 10 mins.

 

[DARKSeifer]

So, this summer I'd like to do a small, informational, flight.

My original idea was to use a rocket but I'd rather use a drone.

Anyhow, it requires a camera to go up 5000 feet.

Is it possible to get a temporary clearance to fly that high with a drone via contact with the FAA?

The entire flight would be less than a half hour. It's a straight up and back down plan.

A drone is the way to do it, forget abut rockets or balloons.

You can climb way more than 1,500 m with a hacked M3, but the Fly app stops counting at 3,150 m. You still have juice to get to 4,000 m or more, but since you don't know the alt anymore, you should do a previous calculation to guess at which alt you are based on the climb speed (which is quite stable on a drone at full stick) and time.



Going down is almost free (battery wise), but you must have in account that if you get in the low battery area the drone can power down the motors and limit the speed, thus it can fly away or not descend fast enough, so there's no point in forcing the things unless you want to beat a record for whatever reason.

In resume, with a hacked M3 or a similar drone, on a calm day (check the wind at 1,500m, it should be less than 50Km/h, or it can fly away) going up to 1,500 m like a balloon, do a 360º pano or whatever you want to do, and go down is quite easy and safe.

You need a drone capable of climbing fast and with around 25 minutes of real flight time; for example a hacked Mini 2 can climb to 1,000 m or so, but its battery bottlenecked.

Also check the temperature, temp goes down 6,5º C every 1,000 m, and you want it above 0º C to prevent water particles condensing on the props, or they can build up ice and lose the edge, hence fall like a stone.

PS: As a hobbyist you won't get legal permission to do it anywhere in the world, so just use your brain to check for potential danger, enjoy the hobby and forget about overregulation. If anyone asks afterward, you did it with a helium balloon and a 360º camera attached to it and ofc, remove the metadata on the image before posting it online.

 

[Vic Moss]

You have to be a 107 pilot, and then apply for a §107.51(b), and a 107.31 waiver. The 107.31 waiver is a possibility, but the 107.51(b) for 5000' is extremely unlikely to to happen.

If you apply, you'll need to answer the follow questions for the .51 application:

"1. Describe how the small unmanned aircraft (sUA) will not pose a hazard to aircraft,persons on the ground, and others’ property when operating at altitudes other than those prescribed in § 107.51(b).
a. How will the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) and Visual Observer(s) (VO), ifused, see and avoid other aircraft when flying over 400 feet above ground level (AGL)?
2. Describe the anti-collision lighting used on the sUA, in order for it to be seen by crewmembers in other aircraft from a distance of at least 1 statute mile(sm) during daytime operations and 3sm if conducting nighttime operations.
a. Will the sUA be sufficiently visible by crewmembers in other aircraft in the location where the RPIC will operate? 1) If yes, how will you accomplish this?
2) If no, why do crewmembers in other aircraft not need to be able to see yoursUA?
3. Describe how the RPIC will be able to accurately determine the sUA altitude and direction of flight.
a. How will the RPIC know, while keeping eyes on the sUA, the current real-time:
1) Geographic location,
2) Altitude (AGL), and
3) Direction of flight of the sUA
b. How will the RPIC maintain visual line of sight with the sUA (i.e., meet the requirements of § 107.31) at the maximum altitude and distance requested inthe waiver application?
4. Describe the area of operations using latitude/longitude, street address,identifiable landmarks, or other maps to include the distance from and direction tothe nearest airport (e.g., 4.8 miles SE of XYZ Airport).
5. In addition to filing a NOTAM, describe how the RPIC will communicate/coordinatewith Air Traffic Control (ATC) if required by a Special Provision in your Certificate ofWaiver and based on the complexity of your operation."

You'll need ATO to sign off on it as well, and they're a hard nut to crack.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

A drone is the way to do it, forget abut rockets or balloons.

You can climb way more than 1,500 m with a hacked M3, but the Fly app stops counting at 3,150 m. You still have juice to get to 4,000 m or more, but since you don't know the alt anymore, you should do a previous calculation to guess at which alt you are based on the climb speed (which is quite stable on a drone at full stick) and time.

View attachment 180195

Going down is almost free (battery wise), but you must have in account that if you get in the low battery area the drone can power down the motors and limit the speed, thus it can fly away or not descend fast enough, so there's no point in forcing the things unless you want to beat a record for whatever reason.

In resume, with a hacked M3 or a similar drone, on a calm day (check the wind at 1,500m, it should be less than 50Km/h, or it can fly away) going up to 1,500 m like a balloon, do a 360º pano or whatever you want to do, and go down is quite easy and safe.

You need a drone capable of climbing fast and with around 25 minutes of real flight time, A hacked Mini 2 can climb to 1,000 m or so, but its battery bottlenecked.

Also check the temperature, temp goes down 6,5º C every 1,000 m, and you want it above 0º C to prevent water particles condensing on the props, or they can build up ice and lose the edge, hence fall like a stone.

PS: As a hobbyist you won't get legal permission to do it anywhere in the world, so just use your brain to check for potential danger, enjoy the hobby and forget about overregulation. If anyone asks afterward, you did it with a helium balloon and a 360º camera attached to it and ofc, remove the metadata on the image before posting it online.

He said 5,000ft that is only 1524 meters. But wind would be a big concern.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

A drone is the way to do it, forget abut rockets or balloons.

You can climb way more than 1,500 m with a hacked M3, but the Fly app stops counting at 3,150 m. You still have juice to get to 4,000 m or more, but since you don't know the alt anymore, you should do a previous calculation to guess at which alt you are based on the climb speed (which is quite stable on a drone at full stick) and time.

View attachment 180195

Going down is almost free (battery wise), but you must have in account that if you get in the low battery area the drone can power down the motors and limit the speed, thus it can fly away or not descend fast enough, so there's no point in forcing the things unless you want to beat a record for whatever reason.

In resume, with a hacked M3 or a similar drone, on a calm day (check the wind at 1,500m, it should be less than 50Km/h, or it can fly away) going up to 1,500 m like a balloon, do a 360º pano or whatever you want to do, and go down is quite easy and safe.

You need a drone capable of climbing fast and with around 25 minutes of real flight time, A hacked Mini 2 can climb to 1,000 m or so, but its battery bottlenecked.

Also check the temperature, temp goes down 6,5º C every 1,000 m, and you want it above 0º C to prevent water particles condensing on the props, or they can build up ice and lose the edge, hence fall like a stone.

PS: As a hobbyist you won't get legal permission to do it anywhere in the world, so just use your brain to check for potential danger, enjoy the hobby and forget about overregulation. If anyone asks afterward, you did it with a helium balloon and a 360º camera attached to it and ofc, remove the metadata on the image before posting it online.

Personal Opinion. I don't think it is a wise decision to publicly tell someone to ignore the rules and fly un-safely. There are many that would listen to you and make serious mistakes, first of all doing this unsafe and dangerous flight. If your going to advise him, do it privately in a msg. If your going to advise, suggest they read Vic Moss's post.

 

[DARKSeifer]

Personal Opinion. I don't think it is a wise decision to publicly tell someone to ignore the rules and fly un-safely. There are many that would listen to you and make serious mistakes, first of all doing this unsafe and dangerous flight. If your going to advise him, do it privately in a msg. If your going to advise, suggest they read Vic Moss's post.

Rules, safety and bureaucracy are three different and independent parameters.

While Vic explains the papers you must fill to comply with the rules in the US, he doesn't say anything about temperature, wind or battery, which are the things that will get your drone lost. I keep practical and proactive, give a solution to the OP and say nothing about rules or bureaucracy because it depends on where you live and your desire to comply with them or not.

The OP is asking how to put a camera at 1,500 m alt, if you deny the option to do it with a drone (easy, safe and optimal) because of bureaucracy, he will just use a homemade rocket or a helium balloon to do it, which are both suboptimal and dangerous, although probably legal in most parts of the world.

 

[Bad Santa]

Rules, safety and bureaucracy are three different and independent parameters.

While Vic explains the papers you must fill to comply with the rules in the US, he doesn't say anything about temperature, wind or battery, which are the things that will get your drone lost. I keep practical and proactive, give a solution to the OP and say nothing about rules or bureaucracy because it depends on where you live and your desire to comply with them or not.

The OP is asking how to put a camera at 1,500 m alt, if you deny the option to do it with a drone (easy, safe and optimal) because of bureaucracy, he will just use a homemade rocket or a helium balloon to do it, which are both suboptimal and dangerous, although probably legal in most parts of the world.

Isn't that the rub?!