Contour flight operates in which altitude band?

• A. Surface to 25 feet AHO
• B. 25 feet to 80 feet AHO
• C. 80 feet to 200 feet AHO
• D. 200 feet to 400 feet AHO

Answer: (B)

Contour flight is about following the terrain by staying at a consistent height above the ground as you move along the landscape. Keeping your altitude in a narrow band helps you maintain the same distance to the surface, which is crucial for even coverage and reducing drift in aerial work.

The 25 to 80 feet above ground level range is the sweet spot: you’re high enough to clear small obstacles and rough terrain, but low enough to accurately follow contour lines and keep deposition uniform. Dropping to the surface up to 25 feet increases the risk of hitting ground features and makes smooth contouring harder. Flying higher than 80 feet, say into the 80–200 or 200–400 feet bands, makes it tougher to match the terrain closely, and drift becomes a bigger concern, leading to uneven coverage.