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How to Fly a Drone Above 400 Feet (Legally!)

Pilot Institute Drones

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Think your drone hits an invisible ceiling at 400 feet? Think again! In this video, we break down 3 legal ways to fly above 400 feet, from the Part 107 structure rule and FAA waivers to CBO fixed-site authorizations. And yes, recreational pilots can get in on the action too. We’ll also cover the easy LAANC mistake that could get you in trouble, so you know exactly how high you can legally fly your drone every time. Let's get to it.

00:00 Introduction
02:26 The Structure Rule
09:21 Going Above 400ft with a Waiver
15:35 The Recreational Exception
16:32 The LAANC Mistake

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20 Comments

@PilotInstitute Creator 1 month ago Pinned

Part 107 Waivers Made Easy 👉 https://bit.ly/part-107-waivers-0530

@airfoxphotography3882 1 month ago

You forgot to mention on sectional charts they have towers listed with AGL height.

@JustinBradleyPhotographer 1 month ago

My job had me legally flying over the US Bank Building in DTLA. I believe it was 1100 ft. At that distance spotting your drone can be tough. If I am going that high I actually equip my anti collision light and my drone already has red reflective tape on it to prevent bird strikes. It helps, but never do it into the sun, even partially because you will never see it at that distance.

@925riv 1 month ago

This is what I been looking for, not just talk about it but to illustrate it. This gives a better understanding. Thank you.

@TheItalianWays 1 month ago

Welcome back Greg❤

@BrianNicolich 1 month ago

Something not addressed in the video is the "above 400 foot" rule when the object extends into Class E Transition Area airspace (fuzzy magenta ling on a sectional) which is a common scenario around antennas. I had the hardest time getting a solid answer.

@craig7350 1 month ago

Drone pilots are living the big lie, "I keep my drone in sight at all times"

@industria420 1 month ago

Cool video.

@AnonFlyerNZ 1 month ago

You forgot to say these rules are not for everywhere or everyone. Just applicable to USofA

@TCXSMStang 1 month ago

...and the tower transmission did not interfer with your connection?

@LIVINGINFARGO 1 month ago

Isn’t there one more way though… like if you are not 107 but fly next to a PIC who Is and have the laanc/waiver waiver?

@MrBsizelove 1 month ago

Are trees considered “structures” that can be considered ?

@FlyingElvisFilmworks 1 month ago

Is it possible to FOIA request other waivers issued in my area, to use as examples of what could possibly be approved? For example, I am in Las Vegas, which as you know is highly restrictive airspace. But I also know there are local folks that have wide waivers for flying here. I'd like to see what they filed, so I can duplicate that for maximum likelihood of success. Not just copy/paste, but to understand how they defined their missions and such.

@JoseSanles 1 month ago

Please explain how to go best approach the mess that is getting airspace approval for Class E2 airspace that surrounds a LAANC enabled airport.

For example: KITH UAS Facility Map says this airport is a LAANC enabled facility, yet the Class E2 airspace that surrounds it is ineligible for LAANC requests.

Because of that, I cannot put a LAANC request, and when trying via the DroneZone, it does not allow me to request a "date range" nor a "Blanket/Wide Area" radius of operation for that Class E2 area, because (as per the DZ error message) the airport for which that Class E2 belongs to is LAANC enabled. LAANC requests are valid for one day only. Airspace that is outside the "grid" should have its authorization requests put through the DroneZone, which would allow you to request a date range and/or wide area operation. But it won't allow you to.

@stevereightler4126 1 month ago

Great information, thanks. Btw, what tablet adapter was used with the controller?

@MattBerubeCT 1 month ago

Shouldn't they be monitoring a aircraft radar app for any aircraft in the area? I know the drone will send a warning. But seems like them flying blindly like that is reckless. I mean just because you can go up past 400ft doesn't mean you aren't also in the path of a low flying manned aircraft.

@jerseydronerschannel4328 1 month ago

You can get laanc auth through aloft for higher than the listed altitude limit. Needs to be done 72? Hours in advance and usually takes a day or so to get approved. Another mistake that’s easy to make is not needing laanc at a location but flying up into class b because the apps we use don’t show a class b starting at 500 for example. The building is 750 so you can go 1150 but that puts you into the class b without realizing it unless you check an aeronautical map.

@cajunstrat 1 month ago

I add crosshairs to my controller camera view and rely on that to help estimate heights, making sure the angle of my camera is zero. I think it’s close enough for my Mavic series drones.

@markcoveryourassets 1 month ago

When you get that waiver detailed in the second part of the video, does the FAA issue a NOTAM for other aviation?

@CloverSkullco-t8z 1 month ago

What if you need to/want to capture the terrain from above at an angle? It would make sense if the 400 ft radius applied to a cliff or mountain or something like that right?