I was looking at old videos in my phone and found a clip of a small plane flying really close to the ocean at my local beach in Florida. The plane was maybe 50 feet above the water, and it didn’t look like a seaplane since it didn’t seem to have the gear needed to land on water (I’m not familiar with proper plane terms). Anyway, this made me wonder about the rules for flying drones over the ocean or at the beach. I haven’t flown my drone there yet, but this is a spot where I’d love to. The airspace is Class G, and the nearest airport is 10+ miles away. Was the plane pilot breaking the rules flying that close to the water? Are there any ocean flight rules that drone pilots like me should know about? I found a quick search saying that planes are supposed to stay 500 feet above the water unless they’re landing or for special purposes, and this plane wasn’t landing. Just asking because as a drone pilot, I don’t want to risk anyone’s safety at the beach or any beach in the future. Thanks.
Planes are supposed to stay 500 feet above the surface unless over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, they can’t fly closer than 500 feet to any people, boats, vehicles, or structures.
Is it safe? Probably not. Is it legal? That depends on how you interpret the rules.
@Madden
I get it now, but I’m still wondering what the right interpretation is. The plane was over the ocean but close to the shore. Would that count as a sparsely populated area? My guess is probably not. But this was two years ago, so it’s too late to report it now 
@Jet
I think the open water clause would apply here, meaning they should’ve stayed 500 feet away from any people, boats, or structures. But they could fly as close to the water as they want otherwise. To me, it sounds like a poor decision by the pilot.
@Madden
I agree. I posted a screenshot from the video to help understand the scene better.
@Jet
It’s over open water or sparsely populated areas. In this case, the pilot was flying over open water.
@Jet
You can do water skiing with a plane. It’s often seen in remote places near landing areas like sandbars.
@Jet
Maybe the plane was having an emergency or malfunction, and the pilot was thinking of landing on the beach.
Paris said:
@Jet
Maybe the plane was having an emergency or malfunction, and the pilot was thinking of landing on the beach.
Good point, I’ll check what r/aviation says about this. Thanks!
@Jet
Please update us! I sometimes feel frustrated by the 400-foot ceiling, but at LA beaches, I feel a bit safer knowing we’re in our own space. It’s funny how the opposite happens when drone pilots fly above 400 feet. Very interested to hear what you find out!
@Jet
Now I’m noticing a star emblem on the plane. That can’t be a military plane, right? I have no knowledge of planes, but it definitely doesn’t look like a military one.
Jet said:
@Jet
Now I’m noticing a star emblem on the plane. That can’t be a military plane, right? I have no knowledge of planes, but it definitely doesn’t look like a military one.
It’s a former military plane. Now it’s privately owned. It’s a Boeing Stearman and has a unique number on the side.
@Madden
Interesting! Thanks for the info.
Jet said:
@Jet
Now I’m noticing a star emblem on the plane. That can’t be a military plane, right? I have no knowledge of planes, but it definitely doesn’t look like a military one.
It’s not a drone, try r/aviation. Those guys will know for sure.
14 CFR § 91.119 explains it clearly. Over open water, you can fly close to the surface, as long as you stay 500 feet or more from any person, vehicle, or structure. It’s legal, but not the best idea.
@Valen
Without reading the rule - TLDR; over open water (like beaches or lakes), pilots can fly right down to the surface - for whatever reason?
Wow. I always assumed that wasn’t allowed. That’s a surprise.
In sparsely populated areas (the ocean is probably included), the only rule is staying 500 feet from any person, structure, or vehicle.
Eli said:
In sparsely populated areas (the ocean is probably included), the only rule is staying 500 feet from any person, structure, or vehicle.
Got it, but the plane was like 50 feet above, not 500 feet. That’s why I was concerned.
@Jet
But the responsibility is on you as a drone pilot to yield to manned aircraft, even if the airplane pilot is breaking the law.