u/Snizzlefry

In his latest video has many drone shots in NYC. I was just wondering if you think he's doing this legally. Have any of you ever gone through the process of getting a permit to fly through NYC?

Example:

Let’s say I’m inspecting a 400 ft tower inside Class E surface area (E2) around an airport.

Part 107.51 says you can fly:

• within 400 ft of a structure
• and up to 400 ft above the structure’s uppermost limit

So normally that would seem to allow:
400 ft tower + 400 ft = 800 ft AGL.

BUT…

I watched a Pilot Institute video arguing that once you’re in controlled airspace under Part 107.41, your LAANC/FAA authorization altitude becomes the hard cap, meaning:

• if LAANC authorizes only 400 ft AGL,
• you cannot use the “400 above structure” exception to go higher.

So what’s the actual consensus here?

1. Does controlled airspace effectively override the structure exception unless specifically authorized otherwise?
2. Or does the 400-above-structure rule still apply in controlled airspace if you’re otherwise authorized to operate there?

Trying to separate:

• “FAA knowledge test answer” vs.
• “real-world operational legality.”

Link: https://youtu.be/CkELZSEx9Lc

My next Black Sabbath chapter is coming.

A 5-part documentary series on Black Sabbath’s Sabbath Bloody Sabbath. This is by far my most extensive look at a Sabbath album. Six months of research and a 40-page script. Episode 1 will be dropping soon.

Thanks to everyone who’s watched my previous Sabb docs—Master of Reality, Vol. 4, Sabotage—and the Frank Zappa one. 🤘🏻