Misconception about 400 Feet

[GooniesNeverDie]

When you register your drone you make a commitment to stay below 400', and not to fly over people or property. Rules or not, in a court they could claim you agreed to their recommendations.

Like a Drivers License, many claim you don't need it to travel in the USA.... however once you get a license you agree to obey the law.

I believe once you get your bird registered through the FAA, you are agreeing to follow their recommendations.

But I'm not sure either

 

[_milo_]

Even if you could see you Mavic, because of the lights, the guidelines (of the only community based organization, in the US, is the AMA) state no night flying, defined as 30 min after dusk till 30 min before dawn.

Sorry but incorrect, U.S. Hobby flyers can fly at night under AMA rules, Part 107 users need a waiver.

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[tangoseal]

When you register your drone you make a commitment to stay below 400', and not to fly over people or property. Rules or not, in a court they could claim you agreed to their recommendations.

Like a Drivers License, many claim you don't need it to travel in the USA.... however once you get a license you agree to obey the law.

I believe once you get your bird registered through the FAA, you are agreeing to follow their recommendations.

But I'm not sure either

Well in America, contrary to popular belief, you are guilty until proven innocent. So there is no agreement or "I didn't know about the law". Our prisons are full to the hilt for a reason. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that makes profit on the confiscation of human liberty for the most menial infractions. I am sure the FAA will be happy to escort you in fine stainless jewelry to your new accommodations because you didn't agree with the law or didn't know you were supposed to.

 

[Foxtrot Uniform]

Love the "guideline" revelation - but this begs the question: would putting videos up on Youtube of things you did while flying as a "hobbyist" immediately make it "commercial use"?

Yes, i attended a 4 hour seminar , meet the gas, sponsored by the North Texas Drone User Group,
Faa an safety officials on the panel and its was asked and the response is it would be commercial.
Also, it was discussed if given to a business or even nonprofit, it's still requires part 107 pilot

 

[tkinva]

You can fly during daylight or in twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting. Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station. The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, and higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure. The maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots).
Mike

anti-collision lighting? For what purpose? It may cause more harm than good.

 

[JoKhool]

When you register your drone you make a commitment to stay below 400', and not to fly over people or property.

Okay so here goes, the 400' maximum altitude limit is only relative to your takeoff altitude. For example, if mavic #1 takes off at sea level, legally you are only allowed to fly to a maximum of 400' AGL altitude... now, if mavic #2 takes off a mile away and the elevation changes to 150' ASL at that location you are still bound to only fly 400' AGL. Now let's assume that it is legal to fly without line of sight and and you fly mavic #2 to the location of mavic #1. At that location mavic #2 will legally be able to fly at 550' while mavic #1 will be restricted to only 400' all because max altitude is based on the elevation the mavic took off from.

As far as flying over private property goes you are bound to maintain a strict hard deck of at least 200' AGL. Anything less than that and you are completely in the wrong

 

[JoKhool]

I hear people on here stress the 400ft from the ground maximum allowed height for drone flying and it is actually incorrect. (IN THE USA)

I attended some training not long ago for my Police agency (non-drone related) and spoke to a detective in charge of the drone section for his agency. He has obtained his license and had far more knowledge about things than I did.

During discussion it was clarified that 400ft from the ground ISN'T ALWAYS CORRECT.

It is 400 FEET FROM THE HIGHEST STRUCTURE.


Part 107 states:

You can fly during daylight or in twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting. Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station. The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, and higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure. The maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots).

Link to FAA page relating to this.
Fact Sheet – Small Unmanned Aircraft Regulations (Part 107)

2nd paragraph under Operation Requirement.

So technically if there is a structure near by YOU CAN fly 400 Ft above that structure.

Mike

Keep in mind that you must be a 107 certified pilot in order to be covered under these rules, otherwise as a hobbyist you are restricted to 400' AGL no matter what.

 

[DSGDSG]

With all the different takes, I think from now on anyone who posts what the rules/laws/guidelines/recommendations are as fact also has to cite an official source which backs up their claim. The amount of contradicting information while everyone believes only they're right is mind boggling and does no one any good.

 

[Lapeer20m]

(note: ever seen the ad revenue of most people on YT )

I recently signed up to recieve ad revenue in YouTube. My understanding when I started is that 1m views = about $1,000 USD.

The reality for me is that 1m views = about $300.

Using this formula, it would take about 3m views to pay for a mavic.

 

[bpendleton]

As far as flying over private property goes you are bound to maintain a strict hard deck of at least 200' AGL. Anything less than that and you are completely in the wrong

I've never heard of this 200' deck you mention. Citation? There's been a lot of talk about the case from last century about the guy's barn, but it's always cited as a weak precedent, for numerous reasons. Where'd you get this 200' from?

 

[tkinva]

From the AMA (I'm a member):

"AMA’s 75 years of experience tells us that model aircraft operations above 400’ pose little to no risk to the manned aircraft community. The only time this activity is of concern is when model aircraft are operated in close proximity to airports. As such, AMA stands by its 3mi/400’ safety criteria established in the AMA National Safety Code. Though there are other mitigation measures that may need to be considered, AMA will continue to advocate to maintain the aeromodeling community’s access to the national airspace."

"National airspace." Love it.

 

[rydfree]

From the AMA (I'm a member):

"AMA’s 75 years of experience tells us that model aircraft operations above 400’ pose little to no risk to the manned aircraft community. The only time this activity is of concern is when model aircraft are operated in close proximity to airports. As such, AMA stands by its 3mi/400’ safety criteria established in the AMA National Safety Code. Though there are other mitigation measures that may need to be considered, AMA will continue to advocate to maintain the aeromodeling community’s access to the national airspace."

"National airspace." Love it.

LOL , in the 75 years of AMA existence they only had radio signal to fly VLOS until recently .

 

[bpendleton]

"National airspace." Love it.

That's how the FAA refers to it, it's not just a made up phrase. For instance. Studying for the 107, it's pretty much unavoidable to encounter the term, as well.

 

[Spanishcop]

With all the different takes, I think from now on anyone who posts what the rules/laws/guidelines/recommendations are as fact also has to cite an official source which backs up their claim. The amount of contradicting information while everyone believes only they're right is mind boggling and does no one any good.

That's why I linked at the first post of this thread and followed up with a second link when I was corrected. Other stuff mentioned I have yet to see a valid link to convince me.

 

[Defens]

Okay so here goes, the 400' maximum altitude limit is only relative to your takeoff altitude. For example, if mavic #1 takes off at sea level, legally you are only allowed to fly to a maximum of 400' AGL altitude... now, if mavic #2 takes off a mile away and the elevation changes to 150' ASL at that location you are still bound to only fly 400' AGL. Now let's assume that it is legal to fly without line of sight and and you fly mavic #2 to the location of mavic #1. At that location mavic #2 will legally be able to fly at 550' while mavic #1 will be restricted to only 400' all because max altitude is based on the elevation the mavic took off from.

The regulations don't state that - if they wanted to reference a specific altitude, they'd reference MSL, instead of making the pilot keep track of launch altitude as well as AGL at some other location. From the FAA.gov website:

... The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, and higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure. .... Fact Sheet – Small Unmanned Aircraft Regulations (Part 107)
​

Nothing is mentioned about launch elevation - just height AGL. For that matter, say you launched from a 200 building roof, then climbed to 400' above the roof (600' AGL). Are you saying that it would then be okay to hover about the countryside at 600' AGL because that's where you launched from?

 

[Strafe1]

I can easily drive my car on the wrong side of the road. Easily. And at night, because of the lights.

But I would not do it, even if it were legal, because I would not want to put others in danger.

Not really sure if this is a typo....
But if it were legal to drive on the other side of the road, by definition (of a legal forward lane of travel), you would not likely be endangering anybody.....

 

[Strafe1]

Even if you could see you Mavic, because of the lights, the guidelines (of the only community based organization, in the US, is the AMA) state no night flying, defined as 30 min after dusk till 30 min before dawn.

The guidelines do not say that. Night flying is legal recreationally. This isn't even a contested issue.

 

[Strafe1]

When you register your drone you make a commitment to stay below 400', and not to fly over people or property. Rules or not, in a court they could claim you agreed to their recommendations.

Like a Drivers License, many claim you don't need it to travel in the USA.... however once you get a license you agree to obey the law.

I believe once you get your bird registered through the FAA, you are agreeing to follow their recommendations.

But I'm not sure either

This is not supported by law. The FAA cannot enforce that as Congress removed that enforcement from them as it relates to recreational flying.

 

[Strafe1]

Keep in mind that you must be a 107 certified pilot in order to be covered under these rules, otherwise as a hobbyist you are restricted to 400' AGL no matter what.

As a hobbyist, your absolutely NOT restricted to 400' AGL. It is recommended for all pilots, however. It is Part 107 pilots who are restricted unless they apply for and receive a waiver.

 

[Retoxx]

As a hobbyist, your absolutely NOT restricted to 400' AGL. It is recommended for all pilots, however. It is Part 107 pilots who are restricted unless they apply for and receive a waiver.

If your drone is over .55 lbs, NO MATTER WHAT REASON YOU FLY IT FOR. You are restricted to 400' AGL, unless within 400' of taller structures, you can go above that. This is right in the sign-up for registering your UAV with the FAA.