FAA Update Fly RC Models Above 400 Ft!
Learn about the FAA update to fly RC models above 400 feet AGL.
In this video I will go over the new Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule that allows certain Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), i.e. drones and RC model aircraft, to fly above 400 feet AGL (above ground level) while you are flying as a recreational pilot. This is a new ruling, being released by the FAA in April 2025.
The video will go over the update from the FAA allowing RC models to fly above 400 feet in certain airspace. We still need to stay within Class G (uncontrolled) airspace, but in those areas where Class E (controlled) airspace begins, at either 700 feet or 1200 feet above ground level, we can fly at those higher altitudes.
I will also demonstrate use of the FAA UAS Data on a map feature to visualize this information.
Academy of Model Aeronautics: www.ModelAircraft.org
FAA UAS Data Map: www.faa.maps.arcgis.com
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Video overview
01:58 - AMA government blog post
02:31 - FAA drone recreational rules
04:38 - FAA Certificate of Waiver
06:14 - Airspace discussion
07:51 - FAA User Data Map
11:36 - Conclusions