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400' Limitation Overide?

@PatR and @Fred Garvin both bring up good points concerning FAA rules and forum opinions of rules. With both of you being Part 107 rated you do have a good understanding of what the FAA rules are for both commercial and hobbyist. Most other commercial rated remote pilots are in the same class as yourselves.

While we have many hobbyist pilots in our membership that have taken the time to learn the rules that govern their flights, there are a multitude of others that do not and the 400’ default ceiling is a good thing. There are just too many that feel they have to push the limits beyond what is safe and responsible.

Changing that limit is possible through the GUI and you do not need an NFZ unlock to change it. Those flying in hilly or mountainous terrain could very well benefit by changing the limit to a higher value. It is a shame that Yuneec did not make a Mac version of the GUI also.

One of the largest problems people have with running the GUI is using a USB cable that will not carry the data. The other is giving Windows the proper permissions to run the program. On my Win10 laptop I have to run the program as administrator even though my normal user has admin rights.

So for those that need to change it you are able to do so. Changing it just to see how high you can take it is not really advisable, but if you do, do it safely.
 
Well said Doom.

Because we read or saw it on the internet does not make it true. Law is written and the text of the written law establishes what is true. Those that fail to research and read the actual law can find themselves no more knowledgable than a village idiot that wrote the internet post being used for legal reference.
 
Even experienced lawyers have trouble, at times, interpreting the law. That is why they search for Established Precedence.....or seek a ruling in court.
 
Like many things in life there are thrill seekers. I have no problem with that as long as their seeking does not endanger anyone other than themselves or end up imposing restrictions on those that follow the rules, due to legislators trying to prevent an onslaught of like behavior.
 
Just got the following FAA e-mail notification, which changes what was allowed before;

FAA Highlights Changes for Recreational Drones

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is implementing changes for recreational drone flyers mandated by Congress in the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.


While recreational flyers may continue to fly below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace without specific certification or operating authority from the FAA, they are now required to obtain prior authorization from the FAA before flying in controlled airspace around airports. Furthermore, they must comply with all airspace restrictions and prohibitions when flying in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.


The new requirement to obtain an airspace authorization prior to flying a drone in controlled airspace replaces the old requirement to notify the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower prior to flying within five miles of an airport.


Until further notice, air traffic control facilities will no longer accept requests to operate recreational drones in controlled airspace on a case-by-case basis. Instead, to enable operations under the congressionally-mandated exception for limited recreational drone operations, the FAA is granting temporary airspace authorizations to fly in certain “fixed sites” in controlled airspace throughout the country. The fixed sites are listed online and will be routinely updated.


The sites are also shown as blue dots on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Facility Maps. The maps depict the maximum altitude above ground level at which a drone may be flown safely for each location in controlled airspace.


In the future, recreational flyers will be able to obtain authorization from the FAA to fly in controlled airspace. The FAA currently has a system called the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which is available to non-recreational pilots who operate under the FAA’s small drone rule (Part 107). The FAA is upgrading LAANC to allow recreational flyers to use the system. For now, however, recreational flyers who want to operate in controlled airspace may only do so at the fixed sites.


Another new provision in the 2018 Act requires recreational flyers to pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test. They must maintain proof that they passed, and make it available to the FAA or law enforcement upon request. The FAA is currently developing a training module and test in coordination with the drone community. The test will ensure that recreational flyers have the basic aeronautical knowledge needed to fly safely.


Some requirements have not changed significantly. In addition to being able to fly without FAA authorization below 400 feet in uncontrolled airspace, recreational users must still register their drones, fly within visual line-of-sight, avoid other aircraft at all times, and be responsible for complying with all FAA airspace restrictions and prohibitions.


Additionally, recreational flyers can continue to fly without obtaining a remote pilot certificate provided they meet the eight statutory conditions of Section 349 of the Act, which are described in a Federal Register notice.


If recreational flyers do not meet any of the conditions, they could choose to operate under Part 107 with a remote pilot certification. Drone operators who fail to comply with the appropriate operating authority may be subject to FAA enforcement action.


Furthermore, flying a drone carelessly or recklessly may also result in FAA enforcement action.


The FAA will help recreational flyers learn and understand the changes by posting updates and additional guidance, including regulatory changes, on the FAA website.


If you are thinking about buying a drone, the FAA can help you get started with registration and important safety information.
 

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