Pilots can safely and legally view commercial fireworks from the air by adhering to FAA temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) and maintaining an altitude of at least 2,000 feet AGL.
Be aware of hazards from non-commercial ground-level fireworks, especially near airports, which can create Foreign Object Debris (FOD) or dangerous obstructions.
To enhance safety due to anticipated high air traffic, utilize flight following and ADS-B for increased situational awareness when observing fireworks from the sky.
The Fourth of July is around the corner, which means many pilots may have watching fireworks from the air on their bucket list.
It’s possible to safely and legally view the celebrations from the sky, as long as you take precautions and follow FAA guidelines, such as adherence to temporary flight restrictions (TFRs).
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
