Assuming you are in the USA...
You are not permitted to fly higher than 400-ft above the ground, and you must only fly visual-line-of-site (VLOS), which is you looking at the drone while it is no farther away than you can see the drone and it’s orientation with unaided eyes so you can control it. If flying first person view (FPV) by looking at the video feed, you need to have an observer that maintains VLOS for you so the two of you can avoid manned aircraft at all cost.
You are the pilot in command (PIC) and responsible for the save operation of your small unmanned aerial system (sUAS). You are responsible and liable for any damage or injury you cause with your sUAS. See the story on this forum concerning two brothers whose drone interfered with life flight at a highway accident scene. They may be fined up to $20k and if one or both patients die or their injuries can be claimed to be worse as a result of the interference, they could be facing additional charges and/or expensive legal entanglements. The only thing they may have going for them at this point is, they may not have “deep pockets.”
You as PIC are not permitted to interfere with first responders.
You may need to registered your drone at
FAADroneZone
You can find the FAA rules for recreational flying here:
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
If you aren’t going to read and follow the rules, or don’t have sufficient common sense to fly responsibly, find a different hobby.
Otherwise, welcome to the forum and have fun!
Very well stated... a sound message to all new flyers or unaware recreational flyers.
If within USA, for the drones we're discussing... all must be registered. If Recreation, the RP's number needs to be applied to each craft.
For those on the route to PT107 certified, the 400 ft rule applies to ground or object flying above... various circumstances apply beyond the comments within this thread, reserved for PT107 discussions.
I'm a bit confused on the whole "Challenge" to obtain altitude beyond the regulated heights. As indicated, the view with the cameras at the high altitude is basically useless... a view of Google Earth will provide the same. The risk is unacceptable & simply stupid which is one of the primary reasons additional laws & regulations are being applied.
More importantly beyond the 400 feet limit are the limits within controlled airspace... applies to most Cities.
A large majority of recreational owners live within the citie's controlled airspace and has much more constrained limits ranging from Zero to 400, and on average limits to 200 feet. This knowledge of controlled airspace, I'm discovering is minimal to many... and that's partly fault of the information or mis-information new Owners receive when purchasing. Again, another discussion point for a different forum.
To fly within many cities, it's illegal to even "FLY" the majority of the city without approval... now easily obtainable with Recreational LAANC and AirMap app. For many sections within a city you can NOT get approval or not without manual authorization that can take up to 30 days. If Hospital or Business Helicopter LZ's are near, the section is probably Zero and manual authorization mandatory.
As example: I requested as a test on the RP LAANC side of AirMap App the authorization to fly around my City's State Capital this weekend. I made the request earlier this week when the RP LAANC was activated. Amazingly, the approval returned in about 15 minutes and the ATC C 50/SFC controlled air space limits UAV to 200 feet max! As a precaution, I stopped at the Capital a day early and notified CSO or Grounds Mgmt of my intentions; which they thanked me an I departed.
On Saturday, while collecting some photos, I heard a Mavic Air... looked up and saw 2.
I watched them for a bit and assumed they were recreational... just my assumption. I looked around and spotted one Owner and strolled over to him to inform & inquire if he obtained approval for flight. He was very pleasant, excitedly told me he just purchased his
MA earlier in the week and had no idea what I was talking about. We had a nice informative discussion and he expressed he was thankful I informed him because he didn't want to be illegally flying his Drone.
I later spotted the 2nd
MA Owner, walked over and inquired the same. He told me he knew what he was doing, years of experience. I asked what altitude, appeared very high... he responded 525 feet because he was trying to get a nice view of the top of the capital. I asked if he knew this was controlled air space and maximum altitude was 200 feet and required prior approval from the FAA using LAANC, and on State grounds, it's proper to inform Building Security your intentions to fly near the State structure. He basically laughed, said a few comments and expressed I was an interfering A## Hole. I felt that conversation was done, so located a CSO and passed the info. He accepted the info but wasn't going to act... so I left it there. On my path, I approached a LEO and mentioned it to him and his response was basically to enjoy the day. I pondered a few courses of action, but felt each one would have a negative outcome for my actions so I decided to let it go and enjoy the day. The whole time we're on the grounds, planes are flying within their landing paths not far off to the side and 3 medical hell's fly nearby.
I'm not the enforcement for the FAA or the State Security... so without a route that would most likely become confrontational, there isn't much other than to inform the individual and walk away. So even with the negative press, new LAANC regulations & simplified procedures... several will not follow or even care about the proper operation and responsibilities of sUAV.
That irresponsible component to me is very concerning, I'd rather not reach a point of over regulation and local rules that remove abilities to enjoy the sUAV.... Professionally or Recreationally; But as individuals, unable to obtain information... and other than a vent of frustration, there's not much way to enforce and those irresponsible are fully aware of it.
