Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is a governmental body of the United States with powers to regulate all aspects of civil aviation in that nation as well as over its surrounding international waters. Its powers include the construction and operation of airports, air traffic …
What is the maximum allowed altitude for flying over a city?
Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. ( c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas.
What is the minimum safe altitude of an airplane in California?
14 CFR 91.119 - Minimum safe altitudes: General. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
What are the rules for flying an airplane over congested areas?
( b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft. ( c) Over other than congested areas.
What is the legal distance from a vehicle to an airplane?
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
What is the minimum safe altitude over a congested area such as a city or metropolitan area?
What is the minimum safe altitude over a congested area, such as a city or metropolitan area? 1,000 feet above any obstacle within 2,000 feet of your aircraft. If you are taxiing a tricycle-gear aircraft in a headwind from your left, how should you position your control?
What does the FAA consider a congested area?
In enforcement actions, the FAA has successfully declared that a congested area includes a group of people on an airport ramp, sunbathers on a beach, a small subdivision covering less than a quarter mile, and traffic on an Interstate highway.
What is the minimum safe altitude to overfly urban areas and rural areas?
The Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Part 91.119 indicates that, except when necessary for departure or landing, the minimum altitude over urban areas is 1,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and 500 feet AGL over rural areas.
What do minimum safe altitudes provide?
Minimum Safe Altitude (MSA). Altitudes depicted on approach charts which provide at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance within a 25-mile radius of the navigation facility, waypoint, or Airport Reference Point upon which the MSA is predicated.
At what altitude does the FAA require oxygen?
14,000 feet MSLThe flight crew must use supplemental oxygen for the entire duration of flight operations above a cabin pressure altitude of 14,000 feet MSL (14 CFR § 91.211).
What is the definition of a congested area?
adjective. A congested road or area is extremely crowded and blocked with traffic or people.
What is the lowest a plane can fly?
An aircraft can legally fly as low as 500ft above the ground & if in sparsely populated areas or over water there is no minimum height limit but must remain at least 500 feet from any vessel, structure, or person. Aircraft can also fly lower than 500ft when landing and taking off.
Can you fly over Antarctica?
There are no commercial flight routes over Antarctica due to the continent's lack of infrastructure and virtually non-existent population. Antarctica also has extreme weather that makes it difficult to fly and land on the continent.
Why are military planes flying over my house?
Most of the time, they are used for training purposes. If you live near a military installation, there is a high chance the military helicopters, planes, and jets fly over and past your house during training operations.
What's considered low altitude?
Low altitude means any elevation equal to or less than 1,219 meters (4,000 feet).
What is emergency safe altitude?
Emergency Safe Altitude (ESA). Altitudes depicted on approach charts which provide at least 1,000 feet of obstacle clearance in nonmountainous areas and 2,000 feet of obstacle clearance in designated mountainous areas within a 100-mile radius of the navigation facility or waypoint used as the ESA center.
What is the difference between minimum sector altitude and minimum safe altitude?
In USA, Minimum Sector Altitude is also known as Minimum Safe Altitude, MSA is altitude depicted on an instrument chart and identified as the minimum safe altitude which provides 1000ft of obstacle clearance within a 25NM radius from the navigational facility upon which the MSA is predicated.
What is congested area and non congested area?
congested area means a densely populated area which is substantially used for residential, commercial or recreational purposes and is without adequate safe landing areas; Sample 1Sample 2. congested area . Means the congested area as shown on the Improvement Scheme including gaothan/ abadi areas of village settlements.
What is a densely populated area FAA?
Sections 91.313 and 133.45(d) use the term “densely populated” area. Those areas of a city, town, or settlement that contain a large number of occupied homes, factories, stores, schools, and other structures are considered densely populated.
How does the FAA define sparsely populated?
The FAA did consider, but does not propose to adopt, the following definitions: Unpopulated means devoid of people. Sparsely populated means a population density of less than 10 people per square statute mile in an area of at least one square statute mile.
What does yellow on a sectional chart mean?
Yellow areas indicate that, while flying at night, you will be able to easily identify the area as Richmond (or anywhere else) on a sectional chart.
Finding The Highest Obstacle Or Terrain In Your Area
Whenever you have to fly at a low altitude, you should pay extra attention to the highest obstacles and terrain around you depicted on the sectional chart. Obstacles that extend more than 200 feet AGL are typically shown on sectional charts, unless they are within the yellow tint of a city.
FAR 91.119 Covers Minimum Safe Altitudes
The FAA covers minimum safe altitudes in 14 CFR 91.119. In this article, we'll focus on airplanes because helicopters have entirely separate minimum altitude regulations.
You're Flying Over A Congested Area (91.119-b)
If you're flying over a congested, populated area, the FAA has a relatively strict minimum safe altitude published. Here's the verbatim language of 91.119 (b):
Flying Low Passes
For decades, the FAA has maintained the viewpoint that low passes aren't necessary for takeoff or landing. If you're not configured for landing (gear down, flaps out), the FAA will assume you weren't "performing a go-around ," if that's your planned rationale.
You're Flying Over "Other Than A Congested Area" (91.119-c)
If you're flying over a depopulated area, like open fields or open water, the FAA is a little more lenient. Here's what 91.119 (c) says about "other than congested areas:"
How far above the highest obstacle must you be from an aircraft?
Paragraph (b) covers congested areas and says you must maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
Can flying at low altitude cause noise?
Bear in mind, though, that flying at a very low altitude over a congested area is likely to result in noise complaints. And, should the unthinkable happen with power loss that results in injury or damage to persons and/or property on the ground; paragraph (a) will be the least of your worries.
How high is the altitude of an aircraft?
Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
How high can an aircraft be?
An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
Can you fly an airplane below the altitude?
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: ( a) Anywhere.
When hovering in an area for a specific purpose, such as photo shoots or other surveillance operation, or for?
When hovering in an area for a specific purpose, such as photo shoots or other surveillance operation, or for some other operational reason, then we can use a lower altitude.
How long did a helicopter hover over a house?
I observed a helicopter hovering over a residential area/houses for more than 20-30 minutes. I would guesstimate about 500 feet altitude or more for the helicopter. The low altitude and long duration of the hovering created lots of what I would call unpleasant "noise pollution".
Can you fly an airplane below the altitude?
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes: