• The sUAS must operate in conditions where the visibility is at least 3 statute miles.

1. During your preflight briefing, you find that visibility in your area is reported as 1 1/2 statute miles. Can you legally fly your mission?

• No, because visibility is only 1 1/2 statute miles, which is below the required minimum of 3 statute miles.

2. During your preflight briefing, you find that visibility in your area is reported as 6 statute miles. Can you legally fly your mission?

• Yes, because visibility is 6 statute miles, which is above the required 3 statute miles.

• Flight must be kept at least 500 feet below a cloud ceiling, keeping safe separation between the UA and the lowest layer of clouds.

• The sUAS must be kept at least 2,000 feet horizontally from a cloud. This horizontal distance reduces the likelihood of the drone entering into clouds.

Correct Answer: A. 300 feet AGL

To determine the maximum altitude permissible for operating your sUAS when an 800-foot ceiling is reported in the weather forecast, follow these steps:

• In this case, an 800-foot ceiling means the lowest cloud layer starts at 800 feet above ground level (AGL).
• FAA regulations state that sUAS should not be operated closer than 500 feet below clouds.
• Since the cloud ceiling is at 800 feet, subtracting 500 feet from this ceiling gives:

  800 feet (ceiling) − 500 feet (clearance) = 300 feet

• Therefore, when the weather forecast reports an 800-foot ceiling, the maximum altitude permissible for operating your sUAS is: 300 feet AGL

• Maximum Altitude for sUAS Operations: The maximum allowable altitude for sUAS operations is 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
• Operations Near Structures: sUAS are allowed to operate higher than 400 feet AGL when inspecting a structure, but they must remain within a 400-foot radius of the structure. Specifically, sUAS can operate up to 400 feet above the top of the structure being inspected.

Examples

• General Operation: If you are flying in an open area without any structures, the maximum altitude you can fly your sUAS is 400 feet AGL.
• Near a Structure: If you are inspecting a tower that is 1,000 feet tall, you can legally fly up to 1,400 feet AGL (1,000 feet for the structure height + 400 feet for the allowable altitude above the structure), provided you stay within a 400-foot radius of the tower.

Correct Answer: B. 1,604 feet

To determine the lowest cloud cover that will enable you to inspect the top of a lighted tower with a height of 1,104 feet MSL (Mean Sea Level), follow these steps:

• Determine the Height of the Tower in MSL: The height of the tower is given as 1,104 feet MSL.
• Understand the Clearance Requirement: FAA regulations require a minimum clearance of 500 feet below clouds for sUAS operations. Therefore, to legally inspect the top of the tower, you need to ensure that the cloud base is at least 500 feet above the top of the tower.
• Calculate the Minimum Cloud Base: Add the 500 feet clearance to the height of the tower:

  1,104 feet (tower height) + 500 feet (clearance) = 1,604 feet MSL

• Therefore, the lowest cloud cover that will enable you to inspect the top of the tower is: 1,604 feet MSL