Will you be in the sky on the Fourth of July? For many pilots, watching the annual fireworks shows from above is a bucket list item. If this is your plan, make sure you check for Temporary Flight Restrictions before you launch. The FAA has a TFR map that goes up in advance of fireworks shows. It shows not only the location but also the time and duration of the TFR. Remember, you may be sharing the airspace with another pilot who wants to watch from the sky, so exercise extreme caution.
It’s a good idea to get flight following while on this flight to give you an extra set of eyes in the cockpit. Altitude is often the pilot’s discretion, but plan for at least 2,000 feet agl. Despite how it looks from the ground, professional fireworks shows usually don’t go any higher than 1,200 feet agl, as they are shot at an angle of 75 to 90 degrees.
