FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (UAG)RegulationsHard
A remote pilot is hired to inspect a 350-foot cell tower under Part 107. To closely examine equipment near the top, she flies within 200 horizontal feet of the tower at an altitude of 500 feet AGL. Is this altitude permissible under 14 CFR 107.51(b)?
- AYes, but only if she first obtains a Certificate of Waiver for altitude
- BNo, because altitude exceptions only apply to natural terrain features, not man-made structures
- CNo, because 400 feet AGL is an absolute ceiling with no exceptions
- DYes, because when operating within 400 feet of a structure, the sUAS may fly up to 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. Yes, because when operating within 400 feet of a structure, the sUAS may fly up to 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit
14 CFR 107.51(b)(2) allows an sUAS operating within a 400-foot radius of a structure to fly up to 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit, without needing a waiver. Since the tower is 350 feet tall, flying at 500 feet AGL (150 feet above the tower) while within 200 feet horizontally is permissible.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect — no waiver is needed since this is a built-in regulatory exception, not a rule violation.
- B. Incorrect — the exception explicitly applies to structures, including man-made ones like towers.
- C. Incorrect — 107.51 includes a specific structure-based exception to the 400-foot ceiling.
Altitude Exception Near Structures (107.51(b)(2))
An sUAS may fly higher than 400 feet AGL if it remains within 400 horizontal feet of a structure and does not exceed 400 feet above the structure's immediate uppermost limit.
- Applies within 400 horizontal feet of a structure
- Allows altitude up to structure height + 400 feet
- No waiver required for this built-in exception
- Still must comply with other airspace restrictions
Memory trick: 'Tower plus 400' — the sky's the limit near tall structures.