How High Can A Drone Fly (Law)

Almost every industry uses drones for their projects and different tasks. Drones make complex tasks easy and faster. As drones do most tasks now, their flying range is also valuable. How high a drone can fly is one of the most asked questions. 

Now let’s start with how high a drone can fly. If your drone has a 10 km range, it doesn’t indicate that it can fly up to 10 km of altitude. 10 km range means the signal will stay strong till 10 km. Drone distance is directly proportional to signal strength. 

The legal restrictions also limit drones from achieving their maximum altitude.

In Europe, you can fly your drone up to 500 feet according to law. Eventually, in the US, 100 feet are decreased in law. You can fly up to 400 feet only.

Furthermore, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows pilots to fly drones in visual sight only.

How High Can A Drone Fly (Physically)

10km( 33,000) is the maximum altitude of drones, Military drones can fly up to 10 km, and some YouTubers also fly their drones up to 10km.

Drones having propellers can fly up to 10km. Because the air becomes thinner after 10km, it will be difficult for drones to keep moving their propellers. In the end, you should fly drones at the legal heights of your region.

How to make sure you’re flying within limits.

After legal restrictions, most drones can’t fly over 400 feet. Drones have built-in limiters, which don’t allow drones to fly over 400 feet. 

Not because they can make drones that higher but because of legal limitations. To fly beyond 400 feet, you should use commercial drones.

Why do drones cant fly over 400ft?

The answer is airspace. Drones are not allowed to operate in airspace. Drones are smaller in size; if they fly over these limits, they could collide with planes, which may cause serious damage. That’s why all drone pilots must operate within their limits. Just like highway lines, airspace also has borders for different aircraft.

Are there different rules for drone types?

• Recreational Drones

Drones used for recreational purposes are also limited to 400 ft of uncontrolled airspace and are not allowed to enter restricted airspace. 

Although if you request permission to fly over 400 ft, you are still not allowed. There is no exemption for anyone. Recreational drones are also limited to 400 ft of uncontrolled airspace.

• Commercial Drones.

Under Part 107, commercial drones are also restricted to a 400 ft limit. There is one key exception for pilots. Commercial drones can fly beyond 400ft when they are inspecting structures. 

Drone pilots can inspect telephone lines, towers and other structures. Commercial drone pilots should fly their drones around these specific structures. Thus commercial drones can fly higher while inspecting structures.

Conclusion

In the end, Drones can fly over 400 or 500 feet, but due to legal limitations, they can’t fly beyond. The main reason is airspace. After 400 feet of restricted airspace is started, if you try to fly drones in restricted airspace, it may cause serious damage. 

You’re advised to fly within limits. But most drones are coming within 400 feet limit and can’t fly beyond 400 feet.

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