---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 101.33"
title: "14"
number: "101.33"
heading: "Operating limitations."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/101.33"
---

# §101.33. Operating limitations.


No person may operate an unmanned free balloon—

- (a) Unless otherwise authorized by ATC, below 2,000 feet above the surface within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport;
- (b) At any altitude where there are clouds or obscuring phenomena of more than five-tenths coverage;
- (c) At any altitude below 60,000 feet standard pressure altitude where the horizontal visibility is less than five miles;
- (d) During the first 1,000 feet of ascent, over a congested area of a city, town, or settlement or an open-air assembly of persons not associated with the operation; or
- (e) In such a manner that impact of the balloon, or part thereof including its payload, with the surface creates a hazard to persons or property not associated with the operation.

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket 1457, 29 FR 47, Jan. 3, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 101-5, 56 FR 65662, Dec. 17, 1991]

### Source

Source: Docket 1457, 29 FR 47, Jan. 3, 1964, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40101 note, 40103, 40113-40114, 45302, 44502, 44514, 44701-44702, 44721, 46308.

### Amendments

[Docket 1457, 29 FR 47, Jan. 3, 1964, as amended by Amdt. 101-5, 56 FR 65662, Dec. 17, 1991]