I’m convinced people who say fireworks are underwhelming from the air are just gatekeeping

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Ok_Accountant_1398@reddit

That’s because you’re at pattern altitude lol

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mduell@reddit

Wouldn't gatekeeping be saying fireworks are better from the air, not worse?

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I’m never going to stop someone from flying on July 4 or make fun of them. However, I am going to agree with most other posters here that flying greater than about 1000 AGL is going to be very underwhelming IMO. You do miss the effects that having the live sounds and the surrounding crowd have on the experience.

I will additionally add that your primary priority is to fly the plane and see and avoid traffic. I can say that the one year I flew to view the Navy Pier fireworks, it was actually pretty stressful dodging traffic while also keeping the aircraft in good viewing position. (This was pre-ADS-B mandate). 10+ aircraft all in one location with no coordination, communication, standard procedures, etc.

Also, consider that if you are flying low and by the “good” fireworks, chances are good that your emergency landing options may be even more limited than usual. (Traffic, spectator spots, limited visibility in darkness, etc.)

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JoeyD54@reddit

Flying around a firework show is on my bucket list once i get my PPL.

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Hodgetwins32@reddit

Meh, forreal. Let me sit on my ass with a beer and not worry about scanning instruments and where i’m gonna go when my engine seizes to save my friends in the back seat. Seen it enough.

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zento91@reddit

those people clearly haven't flown through a crap ton of flak apparently

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AWACS_Bandog@reddit

... outside of maybe some of the Vietnam guys, how many people left have gone through Flak?

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FridayMcNight@reddit

Differing opinions aren't gatekeeping.

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AWACS_Bandog@reddit

Reddit doesnt let silly meanings of words get in the way.

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AWACS_Bandog@reddit

It depends on the local.

My area is... I've done the fireworks show from the air a few times but It's seldom 'worth it'. Even the Pro show isn't much to write home about from the sky.

I wont discourage anyone from doing it, Just set your expectations realistically

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FrostyKuru@reddit

Honestly I find fireworks boring in its entierty. Once you've seen it they all vonestly pretty much look the same. It's like looking photos of the exact same thing over and over

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bae125@reddit

When I was getting my ratings (long ago) I took a plane out on the night of the 4th. Most disappointing experience in the air. Fireworks suck from above.

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Nnumber@reddit

I took off from a rural airport one July 4 night. On departure some folks must’ve thought it would be fun to light fireworks toward the departing airplane. That was not underwhelming for me. Got to see a couple of fireworks from essentially eye level.

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JazzRider@reddit

A few years ago, someone ran a drone through a fireworks show and posted the video. It was pretty awesome.

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BabiesatemydingoNSW@reddit

I did this 20 years ago, flying down the CT coast on July 4th at 2500 feet. There were probably five or six displays visible along the coast and further inland; it was very cool to see from that vantage point.

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Final-Carpenter-1591@reddit

Depends on where you are. If you're near a big city or where a professional show is going to happen. It's sweet.

At your local airport in the middle of nowhere. Save your fuel money.

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LockPickingPilot@reddit

I’ve seen it. There designed to be seen from the ground. You get over 2500 feet AGL and they’re just little pops of light. Even the city sponsored ones

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Peepeepoopoobutttoot@reddit

Are those pokeballs?

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KAM1KAZ3@reddit

Looks like it to me.

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No_The_White_Phone@reddit

Anyone else been distracted while landing at KORD when the Chicago Dogs are shooting off fireworks at Impact Field next to O’hare?

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Esteban-Du-Plantier@reddit

I landed in Bangkok during New Year's fireworks and it was incredible.

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Cessnateur@reddit

I maintain it's worth seeing fireworks from the air once, just to experience it.

But fireworks without any accompanying sound, devoid of booms loud enough to feel in your chest....well, that's kind of like stepping out of a Stearman with a Pratt 450 and into a Cirrus.

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icanfly_impilot@reddit

Depends altitude if observation.

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Screw_2FA@reddit

Professional fireworks from the air at 500-1000 AGL and within a couple of miles is awesome. Residential areas shooting them off and you’re at 3000’ is boring as hell and barely even registers.

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CommuterType@reddit

Call me a gatekeeper then

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casualdogiscasual@reddit

They're amazing to see from the air if you can hang out about 1000-1500AGL. Drone shows can be super cool as well. Not having the sound is a bit weird for a few minutes but you can bounce around to several professional fireworks displays in various cities if you fly over a large metro area

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mkosmo@reddit

They can be. Residential fireworks tend to underwhelm… but a pro show? That’s awesome from the air.

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SuperCrye@reddit (OP)

I actually enjoyed seeing the ground flicker all around me, up until I had trouble finding my home airport for the first time in years

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mkosmo@reddit

I didn’t say it wasn’t neat. Just underwhelming lol.

First time I expected it to be more than flicker. But descending below the fireworks either side of you on short final is a neat experience!

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