5.7 Aerial Movement

Creatures with a fly speed or glide speed can move in midair to some degree. In order to use a fly speed or glide speed, a creature must not be carrying weight in excess of its maximum carrying capacity (see Weight Limits). In addition, it must not have any encumbrance (see Encumbrance).

While in midair, land-based creatures cannot move to defend themselves effectively. Whenever a creature moves with a fly speed or glide speed, it takes a -4 penalty to its Armor and Reflex defenses until it lands on solid ground. This penalty does not apply to creatures who are native to the air, such as birds and creatures with no defined land speed.

A flying or gliding creature must make a movement using its fly or glide speed during both the movement phase and the action phase. If it does not move during a phase, it falls by 300 feet at the end of that phase (see Falling Damage). Floating creatures do not fall in this way.

5.7.1 Gliding

A creature with a glide speed use a movement to fall slowly while controlling its direction. When it glides, it moves up to its glide speed in any horizontal direction. It also must descend 10 feet. This descent does not count against its distance moved during the movement.

In order to glide, a creature must be able to fall. Since floating creatures cannot fall, they also cannot glide. Gliding is impossible in areas without gravity, such as the Astral Plane (see ??).

5.7.2 Flight

A creature with a fly speed can use a movement to move up to its fly speed in any direction, even vertically. It can also remain in place, though it must still make a movement each phase to avoid falling.

Height Limit: Most abilities that grant a fly speed also have a height limit for the maximum height you can reach with that fly speed. This height measures your maximum distance above a supporting object. The object must be at least two size categories larger than you, and it must be free-standing and capable of supporting your weight. It can be up to 5 feet away from you horizontally, which allows you to fly up cliffs and similar structures. You can fly above surfaces like water as long as they are thick enough to support your weight.

While you are above your maximum height with a fly speed, you have a glide speed equal to your fly speed.