A charted airport elevation is 1,200 feet MSL and you will operate nearby from similar terrain. Why does that figure matter for an sUAS flight limited to 400 feet AGL?

• A.The sUAS limit becomes 1,600 feet MSL at that location only if terrain is at airport elevation
• B.The elevation sets the altimeter for the drone
• C.The elevation limits the drone to 400 feet MSL

Why

The 400-foot limit is measured above the ground, so over terrain at 1,200 feet MSL the ceiling is roughly 1,600 feet MSL. Using charted elevation helps the pilot relate MSL chart data to the AGL operating limit.

Source: FAA-G-8082-22 Ch. 11 · ACS knowledge area: Airport Operations · From the Loading, Performance & Airport Operations practice bank (PER-079).

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