As drone users, we often wonder how we can get the most out of our purchase. Drones come in all shapes and sizes, with each drone being unique. That is why working out how high a drone can fly can be tough work. The answer to this question is variable, depending on the drone’s capabilities. However, it also pays to know the legal limit for drone flight limits.
For example, in the United Kingdom, a drone is allowed to reach a maximum flying height of 400ft. If a drone pilot wishes to exceed the 400ft limitation, they need to receive special permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). With permission, though, drones can legally be permitted to exceed 33,000ft in height.
However, it is important to note that many drones cannot reach 400ft in height. With permission, a drone of a professional standard would need to reach that height. Most drones, though, will be limited to the 400ft range due to their technical specifications.
Failure to adhere to this rule could result in legal problems for the drone pilot. Fines and penalties are commonplace, but in the event that a drone causes a safety risk, there could be legal issues to face. As such, it is recommended that all drone pilots adhere to the 400ft limit unless they have permission otherwise.
How High Can A Drone Fly In Other Parts Of The World?
While the UK sets the 400-foot limit, other countries vary. Four hundred feet tends to be the main starting point, but some countries—such as Germany and Spain—have lower limits. In Germany, for example, the maximum height is 230 feet. In Spain, the limit is 384 feet. France, meanwhile, allows for a maximum height of 492 feet. Italy, Japan, Mexico, Poland, and Russia also use this height limit.
Many countries, such as Turkey, Panama, South Africa, The Netherlands, India, China, Canada, Brazil, America, Australia, and Argentina, use 400 feet as the height limit.
Indonesia has the highest height a drone can fly to, at 500 feet. Germany and Spain are the only countries with drone regulations that are under the 400-foot limit. Any drone pilot visiting these countries should verify these figures with a local authority before assuming action.
Recreational Drones VS Professional Drone Height Limits
The first thing to know about drone height limits is the latest regulations of the CAA. Recreational drones are, as noted above, limited to 400 ft. Recreational pilots, though, are unable to exceed this—even with permission. Professional or commercial drones, though, are permitted to exceed 400ft under certain conditions.
One stipulation is that all drones above 400ft must be within 400ft of a building or structure. This adjustment to the rules was made so that commercial groups could use drones for maintenance checks. Reviewing the condition of a communications tower, for example, is much easier with a drone than with a person climbing the tower. Commercial/professional pilots, though, need to have accredited skills.
Remember, too, that the 400ft limit means from the ground level. You cannot, for example, start 100ft above ground level and reach 400ft above this starting point. It is 400ft from the ground level, not your starting place.
Maximum Range: Why Does This Matter?
Any drone you buy is likely to have a ‘maximum range’ on the specifications listing. While this can exceed 400ft, it is important to note that the maximum range determines usability. It determines the maximum altitude that a drone can reach before it loses connectivity to the controls. After this point, a drone becomes harder—if not impossible—to control.
If your drone’s maximum range exceeds 400ft, be sure to guarantee you have permission to exceed this range. Safety is paramount: losing control of your drone at high altitude could pose a safety risk to you, other aircraft, or people below. It is also important to determine a drone’s ‘absolute ceiling’; this is how high the aircraft can reach before it is unable to fly at level.
To understand a drone’s potential, though, consider the fact that the Zephyr, a specific model made by Airbus, reached a height of 70,748ft. The Zephyr stayed in the air for over two weeks, making it a record-breaker for the longest flight ever achieved by an aircraft. This shows the immense potential of drones when powered with the right equipment.
Maximum Drone Altitudes By Type
When investing money into a drone, we want to know that it is suitable for our requirements. For example, a professional photographer or site surveyor might need a drone that can exceed 400ft. Enthusiasts and children, though, might be more suited to a ‘toy drone’ which has a much smaller maximum height.
To help determine the right drone type, we recommend evaluating based on the following list:
- Toy Drone. Toy drones are the simplest form of drone and are limited to an altitude of around 100ft to 150ft. These tiny drones can provide a fine starting point for most beginners and enthusiasts.
- Racing Drones. These drones are usually used for high-speed racing and are known for their agility and ease of movement. Generally, though, they are limited to around 100ft to 200ft of elevation. This allows for easier control for pilots without losing accuracy in movement.
- Hobby Drones. Aircraft enthusiasts usually use these smaller drones for simple tasks like in-the-sky photography or panoramic imagery. They can usually reach as high as 6000ft above ground level—ensure you have permission!
- Law Enforcement Drones. Increasingly popular with law enforcement in America and beyond, these drones can reach over 11,000ft above ground level. More powerful than hobbyist drones, they tend to be ideal for monitoring protests, surveillance, and rescue operations.
- Commercial Drones. Used by everyone from repair teams and surveyors to photographers, these can reach heights as high as 22,000ft. Again, you have to make sure you have permission. This allows for extremely high visibility without losing control of the drone.
- Military Drones. The military tends to have the most powerful drones, as one would expect. These can be used for everything from military scouting to combat missions. They can reach as high as 50,000ft in the air – or higher – backed by elite military-standard technology.
What Drones Can Fly Highest?
If you intend to invest in a drone to fly high, then some models provide a better starting place than others. The best drones that can be bought commercially include:
- DJI Inspire 3. Capable of reaching as high as 22,965ft in the air. This is a commercial aircraft and is suitable for colder temperatures in the main. Among the highest heights we have seen for a commercial drone.
- DJI FPV. It can reach 19,685ft in the air, which is known for providing a distance that can reach cruising altitude for some aircraft. Reaching such a height is highly impressive for a commercial drone. The DJI Mavic 3 can reach the same height, too, if you are interested in an alternative.
- Parrot ANAFI Ai. This drone can reach the same height as gliders, around 16,404ft in the air. DJI models like the Avata and Air 2S share this specific limit. It is mostly suitable for getting above high terrain for commercial scouting and photography.
- Autel Evo Nano Plus. The Autel Evo Nano Plus can reach around 13,123ft in the air, making it highly popular for those looking to scout above high terrain levels. Other models capable of reaching this height include the DJI Mini 2 SE and Mini 3.
Conclusion
As you can see, drones are, in the right hands, capable of reaching astounding distances in the air. It is important to evaluate the drone that you have invested in, as well as ensure you have the right permission to exceed 400ft in the air. By breaking this 400ft limit (or your nation’s set maximum height), you run the risk of finding yourself in legal trouble.
Keep in mind, too, that just because a drone can reach a certain height does not mean that it is advisable. Atmospheric pressure, wind and turbulence, temperature levels, drone equipment quality, and other factors all determine how safe it is to take a drone to a specific height.
Keep all of this in mind when using a drone for hobbyist or commercial purposes. Without a permit to exceed 400ft, avoid falling on the wrong side of the law and stick to the limit!
