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Where is ground zero?

Catweazle

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I,m about 100ft above a panoramic view of scrub and sand. I decided to take the EVO up to 400ft making it 500ft above these miles of scrub land below. Have i flown too high according to the rules. should the scrubland have be my true ground zero?
 
The FAA keeps it quiet, but the 400 feet rule has more to it. It goes on to say that as long as you are within 400 feet of a structure, things like a radio tower, you can fly up to 400 feet above the structure. So basically 400 feet from where you took of from you should be OK. This rule is primarily for commercially licensed drone operators, as a way to inspect cell towers, buildings, bridges, wind mills or other that can tower a thousand feet or more.

To keep things simple, try to stay below 400 feet above the ground that is directly below the drone.
 
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In this instance the drone pilot was legally allowed 1900' of elevation. Some people have said the cost of this light bulb change is 20 grand.. You know that moment when you drop the ligh fixture screws and have to climb off the chair and get them...LOL

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Under Part 107 there are very clear requirements to limit altitude to 400’ AGL or less unless specific conditions permit otherwise. One of those conditions is inspecting a structure taller than 400’ but you must remain within 400’ of the structure. This includes flying up to 400’ higher than the structure if directly over it. A couple other allowable conditions are having an altitude waiver or dealing with an emergency condition where it is necessary to the safe outcome of the flight to exceed the 400’ limit.

For the amateur pilot before the FAA Reauthorization Act you flew Under Part 336 and there was no legal requirements to fly at or below 400’ unless you’re within an airport traffic area. There was\is a recommendation to fly at or below 400' elsewhere but it was not required and you should fly within the safety guidelines of a community based organization, and the AMA is generally thought to be that organization. I can assure you, their members frequently flew well above 400’ AGL. They could not participate in scale aerobatics or thermal soaring activities if they were limited to 400’ but now since the FAA Reauthorization Act this does not apply and the AMA is really pissed off about it. :)
 
The FAA keeps it quiet, but the 400 feet rule has more to it. It goes on to say that as long as you are within 400 feet of a structure, things like a radio tower, you can fly up to 400 feet above the structure. So basically 400 feet from where you took of from you should be OK. This rule is primarily for commercially licensed drone operators, as a way to inspect cell towers, buildings, bridges, wind mills or other that can tower a thousand feet or more.

To keep things simple, try to stay below 400 feet above the ground that is directly below the drone.
My last flight I hit 1800 feet. Completely legal as long as you have a hill or mountain to fly up next to. I was wondering if DJI or any other companies would hold you at 400 feet with their software? I know that you CANNOT do this with a Bebop 2. It holds you at 400ft.
 
Under Part 107 there are very clear requirements to limit altitude to 400’ AGL or less unless specific conditions permit otherwise. One of those conditions is inspecting a structure taller than 400’ but you must remain within 400’ of the structure. This includes flying up to 400’ higher than the structure if directly over it. A couple other allowable conditions are having an altitude waiver or dealing with an emergency condition where it is necessary to the safe outcome of the flight to exceed the 400’ limit.

For the amateur pilot before the FAA Reauthorization Act you flew Under Part 336 and there was no legal requirements to fly at or below 400’ unless you’re within an airport traffic area. There was\is a recommendation to fly at or below 400' elsewhere but it was not required and you should fly within the safety guidelines of a community based organization, and the AMA is generally thought to be that organization. I can assure you, their members frequently flew well above 400’ AGL. They could not participate in scale aerobatics or thermal soaring activities if they were limited to 400’ but now since the FAA Reauthorization Act this does not apply and the AMA is really pissed off about it. :)


I saw a couple of videos where the tower in question would be off limits since visibility was limited near the tops. At 500 feet above or below and 1000 feet away from clouds, so they would have to be at 200' AGL max to maintain VLOS... Only if you took off above the clouds would you be allowed to be above them...
So many laws that sound stupid out of context but make complete sense when you think about it. 1000' feet isn't a whole lot of distance for an aircraft to maneuver in when coming out of a cloud or a pilot to take in a complete visual assessment. Like playing Where's Waldo for your life.. on a timer.
 

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