Uploaded May 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
FAA Update Fly RC Models Up to 1,200 ft!
In this video I will go over the new (April 2025) updates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing RC models and drones to fly above 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
Current FAA guidance restricts RC models to a max altitude of 400 feet AGL in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Much of the controlled Class E airspace over Class G starts at either 700 feet or 1,200 feet AGL. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) negotiated with the FAA to get these higher drone and RC model flight altitudes assigned to AMA fixed sites at various club fields around the country.
In this FAA update to fly RC models up to 1,200 ft I discuss the FAA Part 91 rules for general aviation minimum safe altitudes, a brief look at the US air structure, and to determine classes of airspace using a sectional chart and then finally a look at the actual FAA Certificate of Waiver to the AMA.
Academy of Model Aeronautics: ModelAircraft.org
FAA: FAA.gov
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Overview
02:41 - FAA drone altitudes
03:46 - FAA general aviation minimum safe altitudes
06:05 - FAA airspace structure
07:29 - FAA sectional charts
08:53 - AMA and FAA Certificate of Waiver
12:32 - Model flight in controlled airspace
FAA Update Fly RC Models Up to 1,200 ft!
In this video I will go over the new (April 2025) updates from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allowing RC models and drones to fly above 400 feet above ground level (AGL).
Current FAA guidance restricts RC models to a max altitude of 400 feet AGL in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Much of the controlled Class E airspace over Class G starts at either 700 feet or 1,200 feet AGL. The Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) negotiated with the FAA to get these higher drone and RC model flight altitudes assigned to AMA fixed sites at various club fields around the country.
In this FAA update to fly RC models up to 1,200 ft I discuss the FAA Part 91 rules for general aviation minimum safe altitudes, a brief look at the US air structure, and to determine classes of airspace using a sectional chart and then finally a look at the actual FAA Certificate of Waiver to the AMA.
Academy of Model Aeronautics: ModelAircraft.org
FAA: FAA.gov
Chapters
00:00 - Intro
00:28 - Overview
02:41 - FAA drone altitudes
03:46 - FAA general aviation minimum safe altitudes
06:05 - FAA airspace structure
07:29 - FAA sectional charts
08:53 - AMA and FAA Certificate of Waiver
12:32 - Model flight in controlled airspace
