This goes around and around, but it is recommended that hobbiest stay below 400ft. Commercial pilots are required to stay down there. Several threads here that have thrashed that to death.
Airport MGR said no permission granted to fly my Phantom!
- Thread starter PhantomAirman
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This goes around and around, but it is recommended that hobbiest stay below 400ft. Commercial pilots are required to stay down there. Several threads here that have thrashed that to death.
So, you can still fly in class B airspace with ATC approval. The caviat is that you need to be in constant communication with ATC via radio, and your drone must be equipped with a transponder with the ability to show your location via radar to ATC. It's technically not a "no go", just a lot of hoops and brass balls.
Class B is major airports airspace, unless you get a waiver from FAA, you can't fly within 5 miles of the airport. Better look for different location or get a FAA waiver.
Do you think a consumer grade drone like P3S has the payload capacity to carry a transponder?
There is nothing from the FAA saying anything about transponders and they also agree that radio 2-way communications with atc actually would require a separate FCC license. Not something they are requiring. Only hard requirement is coordination with atc. Someone on here earlier got authorization for class b, only required that he notify atc 24 hours in advance and just before flying.
I'm not sure how big or weighty a transponder is. I personally wouldnt fly in controlled airspace like B or C, but only because of all the hoops I'd have to jump through to do it.
A basic one is about the size of car radio and weight about half pound. The killer is the amp and voltage requirement 14v and 1A. Far beyond consumer grade quad battery for practice use.
Determining class G airspace from the charts posted for legal flight areas, only apply to Part 107 Licensed pilots. Hobbyist are not allowed to fly within 5 miles of an airport, regardless of airspace classification
That makes more sense. I'm thinking pretty much everyone on here is under 107, which is my mistake.
Yes - except that under recreational rules you can fly within 5 miles of an airport, independent of airspace class, provided that you notify them first.
BULL!! hobby fliers are requested to notify airport managers and towers (if there is one) when they intend to fly within 5 miles of an airport. They do not require permission form the airport to fly.The only time actual authorization and coordination is required is if flight would be in class B airspace.
I've seen the Class B thing stated a number of times, but it's not in the recreational guidelines, is it? Where does that come from?
Thanks. That is unambiguous. Also kind interesting since it does then require recreational fliers to have at least some knowledge of airspace classes.
Interesting also that the linked FAA summary of Part 107 rule is now wrong (or just out of date?) where it states:
implying that one should contact ATC for authorization.
- Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with the required ATC permission.
Part 107 rules above are for Part 107 licensed pilots.
The FAA "Fly for Fun Rules"
- Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
- Fly for Fun
Near is a bit ambiguous. But to the best of my Part 107 certified knowledge, hobbyist do not qualify to fly in anything but Class G
Intentionally ambiguous, perhaps, because it's not quite that simple; hobbyists can fly within 5 miles of an airport with the only requirement (provided that it is not in Class B surface airspace) being to notify the operator and ATC beforehand. So, by definition, they may be flying within the lateral boundaries of surface Class C, D or E airspace while doing so.
Airspace Restrictions
Airports
Recreational operators are required to give notice for flights within five miles of an airport to BOTH the airport operator and air traffic control tower, if the airport has a tower. However, recreational operations are not permitted in Class B airspace around most major airports without specific air traffic permission and coordination.
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