when I visit my grandma there's these 2 hot air balloons that tend to fly over the area of her house and I want to take my drone to take pictures but I can already identify 2 possible issues. 1. what does the FAA say about flying near/around hot air balloons and 2. how would I make it clear that I am not a threat. I'd figure I could spin in a circle or something to show pure intentions but I can see how the passenger in the basket could freak out from a random unknown drone randomly approaching the balloon
flying near hot air balloon
- Thread starter Patrick Andreasen
- Start date
FAA manned aircraft rules apply. This is something that I strongly suggest you not attempt.
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DarR-T
Well-Known Member
Even at each of these distances, it is unlikely the balloon occupants could see your drone; however, I wouldn't go any closer than the image you see in the very first opening frame (if at all) in this video (not me, not my video) and would probably never get as close as you see in the subsequent shots. Low flying balloons are part of the scenery if they frequent your area so I can see how someone would want to capture them from time to time:
ryguy80
Well-Known Member
I agree with the advice given here. Keep your distance. I know I would be cursing out the pilot from the balloon if I saw a drone get too close since things can go wrong. One of those scenarios where common sense needs to prevail.
Golden rule of flying a drone: Use good judgment.
Golden rule of flying a drone: Use good judgment.
Call the FAA. Ask them.
And if they say you can do it, contact the people who own the balloons and let them know you'll be doing it.
They might be delighted to see your video.
Remember, if you're doing it purely for entertainment, you don't need a Part 107 but if you do it for ANY compensation, you have to have your 107.
I would suspect that if you have permission from the balloon operator, the FAA would say it's OK.
According to the interwebs...
"According to the FAA's rules, drones must not interfere with manned aircraft, which includes hot air balloons. The balloon operator may give permission, but the drone operator must still ensure that they do not get too close, especially if the drone could potentially cause a safety risk or distraction."
If the drone is not interfering with the balloon (manned aircraft) then it falls within the rules.
And if they say you can do it, contact the people who own the balloons and let them know you'll be doing it.
They might be delighted to see your video.
Remember, if you're doing it purely for entertainment, you don't need a Part 107 but if you do it for ANY compensation, you have to have your 107.
I would suspect that if you have permission from the balloon operator, the FAA would say it's OK.
According to the interwebs...
"According to the FAA's rules, drones must not interfere with manned aircraft, which includes hot air balloons. The balloon operator may give permission, but the drone operator must still ensure that they do not get too close, especially if the drone could potentially cause a safety risk or distraction."
If the drone is not interfering with the balloon (manned aircraft) then it falls within the rules.
AMann
Well-Known Member
I’m not going to post the link, but there are videos from people doing close flyovers and even landing on top of hot air balloons. They may or may not have been in the US, but if so, they were illegally breaking multiple FAA regulations because the drones were obviously being flown way over 400 feet AGL as parachutists were being filmed close up while jumping from the balloon baskets, and the drones were being piloted from the balloons. Crazy stuff that is going to eventually catch up with them.
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100% legal, but you have to be careful and stay far enough away as to not interfere.
Under §107.37:
(a) Each small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles. Yielding the right of way means that the small unmanned aircraft must give way to the aircraft or vehicle and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.
(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.
(Federal Register :: Request Access)
The rules for recreational flying under §49 USC 44809 (a)(4), the drone must be "operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft."
(https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml...lim-title49-section44809&num=0&edition=prelim)
Best bet, as others have said, be smart, and fly friendly.
Under §107.37:
(a) Each small unmanned aircraft must yield the right of way to all aircraft, airborne vehicles, and launch and reentry vehicles. Yielding the right of way means that the small unmanned aircraft must give way to the aircraft or vehicle and may not pass over, under, or ahead of it unless well clear.
(b) No person may operate a small unmanned aircraft so close to another aircraft as to create a collision hazard.
(Federal Register :: Request Access)
The rules for recreational flying under §49 USC 44809 (a)(4), the drone must be "operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft."
(https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml...lim-title49-section44809&num=0&edition=prelim)
Best bet, as others have said, be smart, and fly friendly.
I certainly trust what Mr. Moss states. If it were me, I'd make every attempt to contact the balloon pilot to discuss my desires. They just might be over joyed and request some specific "views" that they would like to see, and you could share your snaps/videos with them and both be happy with a win/win situation? Just a thought......
well yeah I'm not to attracted to the idea of this as well I understand the dangers of this I forgot to mention I made this post mostly for "theory" if you will. just an idea since I'm bored. if I do go though I will make sure I don't get close especially since I want the scenery in the background
I wouldn't get to close I have the air 3 so distance is absolutely an available option I just dont want them to feel threatened if I do attempt photos. I probably wouldn't get any closer then 150ft. by near I meant around. I'm not trying to take pictures of the people inside that's both a safety and privacy issue.
I cant watch the video at the time unfortunately but I'll make sure to keep a good, safe distance and most importantly stay out of there flight path.
again its only theoretical for now for I don't plan on visiting my grandma or her area anytime soon and I've only seen the balloons 3 times. she says she sees them all the time though so maybe they might come back. I just figured it would be interesting to have them in the picture with the mountains in the background
oh yeah that's definitely illegal. unless if they had airspace authorization they could fly above that. LANDING ON THE BALLOON! I'd be surprised if they didn't receive any backlash from that I mean dang that's some skill but it could've ended badly.
the drone could fall off. I don't know how strong the balloon is but I'd figure if the drone hit the balloon and its big and strong enough it could damage and make a hole
The material used on balloons isn't nearly as fragile as you think. It also won't "pop" like a latex balloon. And, a balloon can actually stay aloft quite well with a drone sized hole, as long as the propane holds out, allowing for a controlled landing. But, again, the material isn't so fragile (or under so much stress) that a hobby drone would likely damage it.
A balloon is only moving as fast as the wind. For all intents, it's relatively stationary within the wind current so only the relative speed of the drone is an issue. An out of control drone has issues at 150 feet. Under control, the operator would have to be negligent to have to worry about 150 feet.
I'd suppose your right 150 feet is not much of a distance but the balloon is rather slow and 150 ft is just my threshold. I likely wont even need anything closer than 300 ft or 400 even.
this is all assuming that the balloon is flying below 400ft, flying conditions are near perfect, and I remember to keep the drone charged. maybe I could still get a good picture if it's just barely above 400 ft but I cant get a picture of it below the horizon if it is over that.
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