GM1 UAS.OPEN.010 General Provisions

CAA ORS9 Decision No. 16

MAXIMUM HEIGHT

The RP must ensure that the UA is kept at a distance less than 120m (approximated to 400 ft for the purpose of this document) from the terrain. This is not a ‘vertical height’, but a geometric distance between the UA and the closest point of the surface of the Earth.

In most cases, this distance will be measured as a GPS height, rather than barometric height. Where a barometric measured height is used, the effects of atmospheric pressure and temperature on the measurement of height, should be understood.

This height limit applies from the surface of the Earth, and not from an elevated point on a structure or building.

The picture below shows how the maximum height that the UA may reach changes according to the topography of the terrain. In addition, if the flight is being conducted within a geographical zone with a lower maximum height or altitude (as defined in the associated restrictions of the geographical zone), the RP must ensure that the UA always complies with those limitations.

The entity responsible for an artificial obstacle, referred to in point UAS.OPEN.010(3), must explicitly grant the UAS Operator permission to conduct an operation close to the obstacle, e.g., a building, or antenna.