High School

**Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Regulations (Part 107)**

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules for small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), or "drone," operations cover a broad spectrum of commercial and government uses for drones weighing less than 55 pounds. Highlights of the rule, 14 CFR Part 107, follow.

**Operating Requirements:**

- Just as there are rules of the road when driving a car, there are rules of the sky when operating a drone.

1. Always avoid manned aircraft. Never operate in a careless or reckless manner.
2. Keep your drone within sight. If you use First Person View or similar technology, you must have a visual observer always keep your drone within unaided sight (for example, no binoculars).
3. You cannot be a pilot or visual observer for more than one drone operation at a time.
4. Do not fly a drone over people unless they are directly participating in the operation.
5. Do not operate your drone from a moving aircraft.
6. Do not operate your drone from a moving vehicle unless you are flying your drone over a sparsely populated area and it does not involve the transportation of property for compensation or hire.

- You can fly during daylight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) or in twilight if your drone has anti-collision lighting. Minimum weather visibility is three miles from your control station. The maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground, higher if your drone remains within 400 feet of a structure. Maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots).
- Your drone can carry an external load if it is securely attached and does not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of the aircraft. You also may transport property for compensation or hire within state boundaries provided the drone (including its attached systems), payload, and cargo, weighs less than 55 pounds total and you obey the other flight rules. (Some exceptions apply to Hawaii and the District of Columbia.)
- You can request a waiver of most restrictions if you can show your operation will provide a level of safety at least equivalent to the restriction from which you want the waiver. Some of the most requested waivers are for operations beyond visual line of sight, during nighttime, and over people.

**Question:**

In accordance with Part 107, at what maximum altitude can you operate an sUAS with an 800-foot cloud ceiling?

A. 300 feet AGL
B. 300 feet MSL
C. 400 feet AGL
D. 400 feet MSL

Answer :

Under Part 107, with an 800-foot cloud ceiling, the maximum altitude to operate an sUAS is (c.) 400 feet AGL to maintain compliance with visibility and safety regulations.

According to the Part 107 rules governing the operation of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), when a cloud ceiling is at 800 feet, the maximum altitude at which you can operate an sUAS is 400 feet above ground level (AGL). This is to ensure a minimum distance of 400 feet from the clouds, which complies with the minimum weather visibility requirements of three miles from your control station, as well as to avoid potential conflicts with manned aircraft which may be operating above the 400 feet level. In summary, the correct answer is c. 400 feet AGL.