If you are in the USA this information is not exactly correct. 400' is the recommended safe ceiling
(manned, fixed-wing aircraft lower limit is 500', helicopters are less restricted). That being said, AMA members, for example, can fly over 400', or at night as hobby fliers without breaking any rules. The rules are definitely hard to navigate and evolving. Here is the list of rules for hobby fliers (
non-commercial) from the FAA. If you notice, there is no height restriction listed (
Part 107 commercial fliers ARE limited to 400').
If you fly in accordance with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (Public Law 112-95 Section 336). Under this rule, operators must:
- Fly for hobby or recreational purposes only
- Follow a community-based set of safety guidelines
- Fly the UAS within visual line-of-sight
- Give way to manned aircraft
- Provide prior notification to the airport and air traffic control tower, if one is present, when flying within 5 miles of an airport
- Fly UAS that weigh no more than 55 lbs. unless certified by a community-based organization
*SOURCE: Getting Started
So this is right under the faa regulation for recreational sUAS in the USA
The recreational use of sUAS, drone, or unmanned aircraft is the operation of an unmanned aircraft for personal interests and enjoyment.
For example, using a sUAS to take photographs for your own personal use would be considered recreational; using the same device to take photographs or videos for compensation or sale to another individual would be considered a commercial operation.
Aircraft Requirements:
Less than 55 lbs.
Must be registered
Operating Rules:
Class G airspace*
Must keep the aircraft in sight (visual line-of-sight)*
Must fly under 400 feet*
Must fly during the day*
Must fly at or below 100 mph*
Must yield right of way to manned aircraft*
Must NOT fly over people*
Must NOT fly from a moving vehicle*
* All of these rules are subject to waiver
Register Drone
So this directly indicates that you can NOT fly over 400’ or at Night unless you obtain a proper waiver from the FAA.
Also it states that u must use Class G airspace, which almost always has a ceiling of no more than 800’ but again this says there is a height restriction, but also says you must fly Below 400’
I’m not sure where u are getting your information from but I recently went over all the FAA so I could take and pass the part 107.
I should also add to that list that if you look deeper into the FAA rules,
You should always fly under 500’ of clouds and 2,000’ of horizontal clouds and must have 3 SM( statue Miles ) of vissablitiy.
This means even if you have 3 SM of visablitly that day, but clouds are at an altitude of 800’ above the ground, then you can only fly to a legal height of 300’ that day.