4 ms·

> It is illegal to fly below 1,000 feet except in an emergency or in controlled airspace. Not if you're flying a helicopter, which does not have a height restr

by tjohns 11y ago

> It is illegal to fly below 1,000 feet except in an emergency or in controlled airspace. Not if you're flying a helicopter, which does not have a height restriction. Also, if an airplane pilot is flying below 1000' AGL, not only do they have a large, highly visible tail number that will identify them... they're also putting their own life at risk. On the flip side, there are clearly some quadcopter pilots that fly above the 400' limit, even though the FAA has asked operators not to. There was an incident in the news just a few weeks ago: http://kron4.com/2015/12/06/california-highway-patrol-helicopter-escaped-collision-with-drone/ http://kron4.com/2015/12/06/california-highway-patrol-helico...

Someone1234 11y ago
> Not if you're flying a helicopter, which does not have a height restriction. They don't have a set "in stone" one like fixed wing aircraft, but if you go buzz a few homes for no reason the FAA will still throw a fine your way. Additionally whirlybirds don't want to operate too low as it substantially reduces their emergency landing sites even with auto-rotation. > On the flip side, there are clearly some quadcopter pilots that fly above the 400' limit, even though the FAA has asked operators not to. Which is fine, if they're below 1000 feet, and aircraft aren't allowed to fly below 1000 feet then there is no issue. The only issue with drones is when they exceed 1000 feet, or are in controlled airspace (airports, events, emergency situations, etc).
- sokoloff 11y ago
  It's been pointed out elsewhere that your 1000' figure is incorrect. I'll add that there are many airports inside class G airspace (the formal definition for what people call "uncontrolled airspace"). For approaches to any airport, there is an exemption to the FAR 91.119 minimum altitudes "except when necessary for takeoff or landing". So by no means does being outside controlled airspace (in class G airspace) and under 1000' keep you separated from aircraft who are following the FARs.

by tjohns 11y ago

Someone1234 11y ago

> Not if you're flying a helicopter, which does not have a height restriction. They don't have a set "in stone" one like fixed wing aircraft, but if you go buzz a few homes for no reason the FAA will still throw a fine your way. Additionally whirlybirds don't want to operate too low as it substantially reduces their emergency landing sites even with auto-rotation. > On the flip side, there are clearly some quadcopter pilots that fly above the 400' limit, even though the FAA has asked operators not to. Which is fine, if they're below 1000 feet, and aircraft aren't allowed to fly below 1000 feet then there is no issue. The only issue with drones is when they exceed 1000 feet, or are in controlled airspace (airports, events, emergency situations, etc).

sokoloff 11y ago
It's been pointed out elsewhere that your 1000' figure is incorrect. I'll add that there are many airports inside class G airspace (the formal definition for what people call "uncontrolled airspace"). For approaches to any airport, there is an exemption to the FAR 91.119 minimum altitudes "except when necessary for takeoff or landing". So by no means does being outside controlled airspace (in class G airspace) and under 1000' keep you separated from aircraft who are following the FARs.