Legalities of flying low over populated areas

B

blank

Ejection Handle Pulled
Joined
Oct 27, 2014
Messages
6
Display Name
Blank
I often see small planes buzzing over my house at a low height. I live about four miles from an airport. Some are lower than others. What are the rules regarding how low they can fly? I worry what will happen if the engine fails which seems to happen a lot.

Please this is a serious question. I want to understand more about flying.
 
They can fly as low as they want. I hear one coming better run for the basement. Have you considered medical treatment for anxiety?
 
Aircraft may fly as low as they wish as long as, in the event of power loss, they do not present a risk to persons or property on the ground.

Over heavily populated areas, must be greater than 1000' agl. Over less populated areas, must be over 500' agl.

None of these rules apply when an aircraft is taking off or landing.

See http://rgl.faa.gov/regulatory_and_g...91693c93525de33e862576c100763e31!OpenDocument .

But, you probably already knew all of this.
 
What is the best way to figure out how low a plane is?
 
Is this the same guy who was baiting and trolling in the other thread that got shut down?
 
blank said:
What is the best way to figure out how low a plane is?
Click to expand...

Look up at the aircraft with your arm fully extended and your thumb up. If your thumb does not completely cover the aircraft, it's too low and you can report him to the FAA. Far more accurate than calling a TRACON.
 
Velocity173 said:
Look up at the aircraft with your arm fully extended and your thumb up. If your thumb does not completely cover the aircraft, it's too low and you can report him to the FAA. Far more accurate than calling a TRACON.
Click to expand...

Huh..
 
As close as you are to the airport I would expect you to see them down to about 250' in the normal course of take off and landing operations depending on conditions.
 
Kind of on point: A lady called the Seattle FSDO and complained about a plane flying low above the ship canal...and she had a 35mm slide to prove it! Intrepid ops inspector Bob Norton got the slide, knew the wingspan of the airplane, did some trigonometry relating the wingspan to the 35mm, and busted the pilot for unwarranted low flying. I do believe that Snortin' Norton has retired by now...he and I instructed for the same outfit way back when.

Bob Gardner
 
Yup, you need a picture on 35mm slide film to figure out how low a plane is.
 
blank said:
I often see small planes buzzing over my house at a low height. I live about four miles from an airport. Some are lower than others. What are the rules regarding how low they can fly? I worry what will happen if the engine fails which seems to happen a lot.

Please this is a serious question. I want to understand more about flying.
Click to expand...
Since pilots are in the top 1% for intelligence and good looks, we are allowed to fly wherever we please. But--and this is the important part--if the plane is lower than 500' above the ground, you are not allowed to be under it. So please, in order to comply with the law, make sure you stay out from under all planes flying below 500'.

This is a serious answer.
 
Henning said:
As close as you are to the airport I would expect you to see them down to about 250' in the normal course of take off and landing operations depending on conditions.
Click to expand...

From 4 miles out??? At 250ft?

You are kidding, yes?
 
N801BH said:
Easy....

Get a kite and 500 feet of string..

If the plane hits the kite then you know..:D.....;)
Click to expand...
Don't let a plane hit the kite, it will blind the pilot and he'll crash into your house.
 
I hate I missed the other thread. It must've been a good'n
 
48dodge said:
I hate I missed the other thread. It must've been a good'n
Click to expand...

"Blank" thinks general aviation should be regulated out of existence.

Claims that he/she has proof of how dangerous small airplanes are to society, but will not post it.
 
If you want to learn how to estimate the heights of small airplanes, one way would be to find out the traffic pattern altitude (TPA) of a local airport where they fly, and then go to the airport and watch planes that are doing pattern work (takeoff and landing practice). You still won't be able to estimate exactly, but that will give you a better idea of their heights. You can find the TPA here:

http://www.airnav.com/airports/
 
Lindberg said:
Since pilots are in the top 1% for intelligence and good looks, we are allowed to fly wherever we please. But--and this is the important part--if the plane is lower than 500' above the ground, you are not allowed to be under it. So please, in order to comply with the law, make sure you stay out from under all planes flying below 500'.

This is a serious answer.
Click to expand...

I agree with everything stated here.

Don't get within 500' of my airplane, and I won't bust you.
 
I am undertaking a survey in my city. Once I have at least a thousand responses I will publish the results. The preliminary results are quite interesting. The survey begins with some cold questions then provides some interesting facts about general aviation then further questions. What is interesting is that many people are under the mistaken belief that GA is as safe as flying on the major airlines which it is not. Another surprising fact that most are not aware of is that small plane fuel contains brain damaging lead. Once informed I think you will be surprised about how the non flying public feels about your "hobby". The "before" and "after" results are eye opening.

Have a WONDERFUL happy day.

PS I have no beef with those of you in twin engine planes or jets.
 
Oh a push poll at the end of October yawn. Post the exact questions you are using. Twins are OK, yet they spew twice as much lead. So funny.
 
Does this same rule about 1000 feet apply to helicopters? They are often the worst offenders. Especially when it is overcast they come really low over my house.
 
BillTIZ said:
From 4 miles out??? At 250ft?

You are kidding, yes?
Click to expand...

He was a crop duster so he gets a nosebleed if he gets above 1,000' AGL. Anyway, 250' is pattern altitude for those guys...
 
blank said:
Does this same rule about 1000 feet apply to helicopters? They are often the worst offenders. Especially when it is overcast they come really low over my house.
Click to expand...
Helicopters have no rules man.
(1) A helicopter may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section, provided each person operating the helicopter complies with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA; and

(2) A powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.
 
blank said:
Another surprising fact that most are not aware of is that small plane fuel contains brain damaging lead.
Click to expand...
Another surprising fact is that many of us "small plane" operators buy our gas at the gas station from the same pump you use to fill your Escort.

blank said:
PS I have no beef with those of you in twin engine planes or jets.
Click to expand...
Proving that you're an uninformed idiot. Bye, now!
 
blank said:
I am undertaking a survey in my city. Once I have at least a thousand responses I will publish the results. The preliminary results are quite interesting. The survey begins with some cold questions then provides some interesting facts about general aviation then further questions. What is interesting is that many people are under the mistaken belief that GA is as safe as flying on the major airlines which it is not. Another surprising fact that most are not aware of is that small plane fuel contains brain damaging lead. Once informed I think you will be surprised about how the non flying public feels about your "hobby". The "before" and "after" results are eye opening.

Have a WONDERFUL happy day.

PS I have no beef with those of you in twin engine planes or jets.
Click to expand...

I would like to see these " FACTS " you speak of.

My fuel is purchased from the same gas pump this troll uses.

He knows not what he speaks but wants to tell everyone what to do. This person must be a politician.
 
Oh my gosh, look at what we breath...

You might want to stop eating food and breathing.

CAS
Number Chemical
Name
75070 Acetaldehyde
60355 Acetamide
75058 Acetonitrile
98862 Acetophenone
53963 2-Acetylaminofluorene
107028 Acrolein
79061 Acrylamide
79107 Acrylic acid
107131 Acrylonitrile
107051 Allyl chloride
92671 4-Aminobiphenyl
62533 Aniline
90040 o-Anisidine
1332214 Asbestos
71432 Benzene (including benzene from gasoline)
92875 Benzidine
98077 Benzotrichloride
100447 Benzyl chloride
92524 Biphenyl
117817 Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)
542881 Bis(chloromethyl)ether
75252 Bromoform
106990 1,3-Butadiene
156627 Calcium cyanamide
105602 Caprolactam(See Modification)
133062 Captan
63252 Carbaryl
75150 Carbon disulfide
56235 Carbon tetrachloride
463581 Carbonyl sulfide
120809 Catechol
133904 Chloramben
57749 Chlordane
7782505 Chlorine
79118 Chloroacetic acid
532274 2-Chloroacetophenone
108907 Chlorobenzene
510156 Chlorobenzilate
67663 Chloroform
107302 Chloromethyl methyl ether
126998 Chloroprene
1319773 Cresols/Cresylic acid (isomers and mixture)
95487 o-Cresol
108394 m-Cresol
106445 p-Cresol
98828 Cumene
94757 2,4-D, salts and esters
3547044 DDE
334883 Diazomethane
132649 Dibenzofurans
96128 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane
84742 Dibutylphthalate
106467 1,4-Dichlorobenzene(p)
91941 3,3-Dichlorobenzidene
111444 Dichloroethyl ether (Bis(2-chloroethyl)ether)
542756 1,3-Dichloropropene
62737 Dichlorvos
111422 Diethanolamine
121697 N,N-Dimethylaniline
64675 Diethyl sulfate
119904 3,3-Dimethoxybenzidine
60117 Dimethyl aminoazobenzene
119937 3,3'-Dimethyl benzidine
79447 Dimethyl carbamoyl chloride
68122 Dimethyl formamide
57147 1,1-Dimethyl hydrazine
131113 Dimethyl phthalate
77781 Dimethyl sulfate
534521 4,6-Dinitro-o-cresol, and salts
51285 2,4-Dinitrophenol
121142 2,4-Dinitrotoluene
123911 1,4-Dioxane (1,4-Diethyleneoxide)
122667 1,2-Diphenylhydrazine
106898 Epichlorohydrin (l-Chloro-2,3-epoxypropane)
106887 1,2-Epoxybutane
140885 Ethyl acrylate
100414 Ethyl benzene
51796 Ethyl carbamate (Urethane)
75003 Ethyl chloride (Chloroethane)
106934 Ethylene dibromide (Dibromoethane)
107062 Ethylene dichloride (1,2-Dichloroethane)
107211 Ethylene glycol
151564 Ethylene imine (Aziridine)
75218 Ethylene oxide
96457 Ethylene thiourea
75343 Ethylidene dichloride (1,1-Dichloroethane)
50000 Formaldehyde
76448 Heptachlor
118741 Hexachlorobenzene
87683 Hexachlorobutadiene
77474 Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
67721 Hexachloroethane
822060 Hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate
680319 Hexamethylphosphoramide
110543 Hexane
302012 Hydrazine
7647010 Hydrochloric acid
7664393 Hydrogen fluoride (Hydrofluoric acid)
7783064 Hydrogen sulfide(See Modification)
123319 Hydroquinone
78591 Isophorone
58899 Lindane (all isomers)
108316 Maleic anhydride
67561 Methanol
72435 Methoxychlor
74839 Methyl bromide (Bromomethane)
74873 Methyl chloride (Chloromethane)
71556 Methyl chloroform (1,1,1-Trichloroethane)
78933 Methyl ethyl ketone (2-Butanone)(See Modification)
60344 Methyl hydrazine
74884 Methyl iodide (Iodomethane)
108101 Methyl isobutyl ketone (Hexone)
624839 Methyl isocyanate
80626 Methyl methacrylate
1634044 Methyl tert butyl ether
101144 4,4-Methylene bis(2-chloroaniline)
75092 Methylene chloride (Dichloromethane)
101688 Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI)
101779 4,4'-Methylenedianiline
91203 Naphthalene
98953 Nitrobenzene
92933 4-Nitrobiphenyl
100027 4-Nitrophenol
79469 2-Nitropropane
684935 N-Nitroso-N-methylurea
62759 N-Nitrosodimethylamine
59892 N-Nitrosomorpholine
56382 Parathion
82688 Pentachloronitrobenzene (Quintobenzene)
87865 Pentachlorophenol
108952 Phenol
106503 p-Phenylenediamine
75445 Phosgene
7803512 Phosphine
7723140 Phosphorus
85449 Phthalic anhydride
1336363 Polychlorinated biphenyls (Aroclors)
1120714 1,3-Propane sultone
57578 beta-Propiolactone
123386 Propionaldehyde
114261 Propoxur (Baygon)
78875 Propylene dichloride (1,2-Dichloropropane)
75569 Propylene oxide
75558 1,2-Propylenimine (2-Methyl aziridine)
91225 Quinoline
106514 Quinone
100425 Styrene
96093 Styrene oxide
1746016 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin
79345 1,1,2,2-Tetrachloroethane
127184 Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene)
7550450 Titanium tetrachloride
108883 Toluene
95807 2,4-Toluene diamine
584849 2,4-Toluene diisocyanate
95534 o-Toluidine
8001352 Toxaphene (chlorinated camphene)
120821 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene
79005 1,1,2-Trichloroethane
79016 Trichloroethylene
95954 2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
88062 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
121448 Triethylamine
1582098 Trifluralin
540841 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
108054 Vinyl acetate
593602 Vinyl bromide
75014 Vinyl chloride
75354 Vinylidene chloride (1,1-Dichloroethylene)
1330207 Xylenes (isomers and mixture)
95476 o-Xylenes
108383 m-Xylenes
106423 p-Xylenes
0 Antimony Compounds
0 Arsenic Compounds (inorganic including arsine)
0 Beryllium Compounds
0 Cadmium Compounds
0 Chromium Compounds
0 Cobalt Compounds
0 Coke Oven Emissions
0 Cyanide Compounds1
0 Glycol ethers2
0 Lead Compounds
0 Manganese Compounds
0 Mercury Compounds
0 Fine mineral fibers3
0 Nickel Compounds
0 Polycyclic Organic Matter4
0 Radionuclides (including radon)5
0 Selenium Compounds
 
"We have a rogue helicopter pilot loose inside this airspace. He's also loose inside this country." :D
 
Even breast milk contains pesticides. Darn, now what am I going to drink for dinner?
 
Blank you are on the wrong site. If its singles you seek out you should be posting on the AOPA or EAA website.

I believe both have a group of attorneys who will deal with you, and hiding behind a wall will not work, they will find you. Computers have an address just like your home.

Lets call this person....Chicken Little...for the sky is falling. Just ask them.

One more thing. It was the single engine airplane "SEL" that won many battles for us. Now you want to crap all over them. And you call yourself an American....Shame on you.
 
Last edited:
NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION WEEK OCTOBER 19-25, 2014.

I take it he attended.
 
Why is this troll still here??? This troll has violated multiple forum rules and is not even here for a legitimate purpose. Not that I'm worried about this person actually accomplishing anything.
 
ChrisK said:
Aircraft may fly as low as they wish as long as, in the event of power loss, they do not present a risk to persons or property on the ground.

Over heavily populated areas, must be greater than 1000' agl. Over less populated areas, must be over 500' agl.

None of these rules apply when an aircraft is taking off or landing.

See http://rgl.faa.gov/regulatory_and_g...91693c93525de33e862576c100763e31!OpenDocument .

But, you probably already knew all of this.
Click to expand...

Why would you feed the troll? :nono:

Seriously, morons, wake up. This guy is a troll looking for information to hurt GA. Shut up! :dunno:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top