Pilots planning to view Fourth of July fireworks from the air must meticulously follow FAA guidelines, including checking TFRs well in advance and maintaining a safe altitude of at least 2,000 feet AGL.
Be acutely aware of hazards from ground-level noncommercial fireworks, such as projectiles during airport operations and debris like paper lanterns that can damage aircraft.
Utilize flight following and remain highly vigilant for other air traffic, as many pilots will have similar plans.
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.
