June, 1996

Low Altitude Flight: Is the Thrill Worth the Risk?

by John Hall

What is considered low-level flight? What are the types of accidents that buzzing causes, and what are the legal ramifications if one gets caught?

The Regs

Federal Air Regulations (FARs) Part 91.119, Minimum Safe Flight, requires that anytime a power plant fails, an emergency landing may be made without undue hazard to persons or property. Over a congested area? One thousand feet above the highest obstacle within 2,000 feet of the aircraft. Over an un-congested area? Five hundred feet above the surface. In a sparsely populated area, no closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure. And without waivers, Part 91.303 limits acrobatic flight to a minimum of 1,500 feet a.g.l and not at all over congested areas.

With helicopters, they may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed, if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

The Numbers

Ten percent of accidents caused by buzzing account for almost 30% of General Aviation fatalities. Low altitude flying is a high risk, high task environment. It is dangerous, illegal and the pilots are ridiculously easy to apprehend. So why fly low? The risks, believe me, aren't worth the momentary shot of adrenaline.

From the AOPA Air Safety Foundation's Accident/Analysis Book:

CAUSE                      Total Accidents/Fatal Accidents
Hit object                             473/141
Accelerated Stall during pull-up       111/73
Steep turn stall                        16/42
Airspeed too low                       102/42
At night                                12/8
Under the influence                     41/35
Aerobatic maneuvers                     94/79
Lower than surrounding terrain; 
     box canyon                         37/19
Fuel starvation                         14/0

Which of them could have been prevented by reasonable caution? Without even knowing the specifics, I'd bet the farm that 95% of the accidents and 100% of the deaths were caused by the pilot; the guy flying; the person that the passengers trusted; the pilot that, when his friends' eyes widened at the proximity of the ground, probably said something like, "Hey, Mr. Macho here does this all the time. No sweat. Walk in the park Piece of cake." Then the silence. Then the G's. Then the screams. Then the crash. Then the silence. And for what?

Getting Caught

The act of low level flying is well known to the public as being patently illegal and eminently dangerous, and they are quick to react with appropriate rage when they spot an aircraft operating too low. In fact, it's one of the easiest violations to investigate and prove.

A typical scenario goes like this: within minutes, piecemeal information starts burning the ATC and FSDO phone lines. Air Traffic Control tags and tracks pop-up traffic from the general location of the incident. The calls say, "High wing," "N-something-2 on the tail." "Last two numbers were 4-5," "White with a green stripe," "Number was N1 something." "Middle number was a 3." N12345 will be `made' before he lands.

If adding a few hundred or a few thousand feet of altitude will make the flight legal and safe, DO IT. It's better to fly a little higher and have altitude to swap for distance in a power-off glide, than to become a statistic.

FLYING THE INTERNET SOCAL and NORCAL ONLINE

Thanks to the support of Aviation Safety Volunteers and friends, we are now online.
The NORCAL can be found at: http://www.aero.com
The SOCAL can be found at: http://www.aero.com or,
http://www.cco.caltech.edu/~aacit/faa_seminars.html If you can receive the seminar schedule from the Internet, please let your local Safety Program Manager know at the next safety seminar.

Chuck Hicks, Jr.
Regional Safety Program Manager

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
San Jose Airport Traffic Control Tower
275 Martin Avenue
Santa Clara, California 95050

ISSUED: March 26, 1996
EFFECTIVE: May 1, 1996

SAN JOSE TOWER LETTER TO AIRMEN:NO. 96-1

SUBJECT: Portion of Taxiway "V" Not Visible from Control Tower

CANCELLATION: May 1, 1998

Pilots using Taxiway "V" between Taxiway "G" and Taxiway "F", which is directly below the control tower, should be aware that this portion of Taxiway "V" is not visible to air traffic controllers. Pilots should use extreme caution when taxiing aircraft in this area.

Any questions and/or comments concerning the use of this portion of Taxiway "V" may be directed to the Air Traffic Manager or Quality Assurance and Training Specialist, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., at (408) 982-0750.

Walker L. Smith
Air Traffic Manager
San Jose Airport Traffic Control Tower

SAFETY SEMINARS

Save these announcements and post them
for handy reference

OAKLAND AREA

LANDINGS
One important phase of flying skill is the landing. Landing phase accidents
are responsible for nearly half of all general aviation accidents. By fortifying
your knowledge of the "whys" and
"wherefores" of approach and landing accidents, you
can become a safer pilot. This safety program will discuss undershooting and
crosscontrol stalls-the kinds of accidents which
can happen before you reach the runway. Also hard landings, porpoising, and loss
of directional control.

PETALUMA AREA
DATE: Thur., June 6, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: LUCCHESI PARK, 320 N. McDowell Blvd. Petaluma
SPONSOR: PAPA
CONTACT: Christa DiBella 707 769-9113 or FAA Howard Manning 510 273-7155

STOCKTON AREA
DATE: Tues., June 11, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Stockton Army Aviation Support Bldg. Stockton Airport
SPONSOR: Stockton Civil Air Patrol and Rick Tutt Aviation
CONTACT: ASC Rick Tutt 209 478-6075 or FAA Howard Manning 510 273-7155

HAYWARD AREA
DATE: Wed., June 12, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Hayward Airport Terminal, Flight Craft Bldg
SPONSOR: ASC Helen Porche
CONTACT: ASC Helen Porche 510 732-6629 or FAA Howard Manning 510 273-7155

WILLITS AREA
DATE: Wed., June 26, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Willits Airport Terminal Bldg. Willits Airport
SPONSOR: Willits EAA
CONTACT: ASC Chuck Simon 707 468-8345

CONCORD AREA
Mountain Flying Safety with Ken Taylor:
This Safety Seminar will address factors for a safe mountain flight, including the Weather and winds; Mountain waves; density altitude; the terrain; oxygen requirements; emergencies and your planned OUTS.
DATE: Tue., June 25, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Contra Costa Water District , 1331 Concord Ave. " Board Room"
SPONSOR: ASC Kurt Moeller
CONTACT: Kurt Moeller 510-798-7011 or Howard Manning 510-273-7155

MONTEREY AREA

MONTEREY AREA
SUBJECT - TBA
DATE: Thurs., June 20, 6-8:15 P.M.
LOCATION: Ingersoll Hall, Naval Post Graduate School
SPONSORS: Department of Aviation Safety, Naval Post Graduate School, and, Monterey Navy Flying Club
CONTACT: Tom Hazard (408) 372-7033, (408) 372-6693

MONTEREY AREA
SPRING-SUMMER TACTICAL WEATHER WORKSHOP
DATE: Thurs., July 1, 6:30-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Ingersoll Hall, Room 122, Naval Post Graduate School
DIRECTIONS: DRIVING: Enter campus off Sloat Street (oppisite corner of Third Street), park first parking lot on right. FLY-IN: aircraft parking at Del Monte East, transportation to seminar provided by Del Monte Aviation
SPEAKER: Kent Eckhardt, AOPA Air Safety Foundation
SPONSORS: Monterey Navy Flying Club, NorCal Aviation Safety Association,
San Jose FSDO Aviation Safety Program and AOPA Air Safety Foundation
CONTACT: Tony Richmond (408) 372-6317, 6:30-10:30 A.M.

SALINAS (SNS)\WATSONVILLE

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7691 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
FLYING TO THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Aviation Safety Seminar
DATE: Fri., June 7, 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION: Restaurant Banquet Room, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPEAKER: Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager & San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214

WATSONVILLE MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
DON'T TOUCH THAT PROPELLER!
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Aviation Safety Seminar
DATE: Wed., June 26, 7 P.M.
LOCATION: Fire Station #2, 370 Airport Blvd., Watsonville (on airport)
SPEAKER: Don French, Watsonville Municipal Airport Manager and San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Watsonville Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Don French (408) 728-6075

SALINAS MUNICIPAL AIRPORT
CHANGING AIRCRAFT ENGINE OIL AND ENGINE OIL ANALYSIS
Airport Safety Committee Meeting and Safety Seminar
DATE: Fri., July 5, 8:30 A.M.
LOCATION: Restaurant Banquet Room, Salinas Municipal Airport Terminal
SPEAKER: Jim Chappell, Salinas Municipal Airport Manager & San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Salinas Municipal Airport
CONTACT: Jim Chappell (408) 758-7214

SAN CARLOS

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7691 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
COMPUTERIZED AVIATION TRAINING PRODUCTS
DATE: Sat., June 1, 10 A.M.-Noon
LOCATION: Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos
SPEAKER: Karen Toland,
proprietor, Diamond Aviation
SPONSORS: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Diamond Aviation Dispatcher, or Karen Toland (415) 591-7611

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
HOW TO AVOID LANDING LONG OR MAKE A POORLY EXECUTED GO-AROUND
DATE: Tues., June 4, 6-8 P.M.
LOCATION: TransAir, San Carlos
SPEAKER: Rob Givler, Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, TransAir
SPONSOR: TransAir
CONTACT: TransAir Dispatcher, or Linda Flynn (415) 592-7804
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
MOUNTAIN FLYING
DATE: Wed., June 19, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club, 701 Skyway Blvd., San Carlos Airport
SPEAKER: Jim Schmidt,West Valley Flying Club CFI
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 595-5912

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
LANDING WITH MECHANICAL & RUNWAY ENVIRONMENTAL EMERGENCIES
DATE: Tues., July 2, 6-8 P.M.
LOCATION: TransAir, San Carlos, CA
SPEAKER: Gary Twitty, Designated Pilot Examiner, San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: TransAir
CONTACT: TransAir (415) 592-7804
Seating is limited. Reservations are required.

SAN CARLOS AIRPORT
A GUIDE TO FAA COMPUTERIZED KNOWLEDGE TESTING
DATE: Sat., July 6, 10 A.M. to Noon
LOCATION: Diamond Aviation, 620 Airport Drive, #1, San Carlos
SPEAKER: Scott Wells, Diamond Aviation CFI & Ground School Instructor
SPONSORS: Diamond Aviation
CONTACT: Karen Toland (415) 591-7611

PALO ALTO

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7691 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
FACTORS LEADING TO AN ACCIDENT
DATE: Wed., June 12, 7-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100, Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: Mark Williams, West Valley Flying Club CFI, A&P
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club Dispatcher (415) 856-2030, or, Arian Sorkhabi (415) 753-1008

PALO ALTO AIRPORT
MEDICAL FACTORS IN AVIATION
DATE: Wed., July 10, 7-8:30 P.M
LOCATION: West Valley Flying Club, 1901 Embarcadero Rd., Suite 100, Palo Alto Airport
SPEAKER: John Renz, MD
SPONSOR: West Valley Flying Club
CONTACT: West Valley Flying Club (415) 856-2030

SAN JOSE AREA

For information from the FSDO:
Jack Hocker (408) 291-7691 x113, or call 1-800-WXBRIEF-#*315.

REID HILLVIEW AIRPORT
ATC COMMUNICATIONS PROCEDURE AND AIRPORT OPERATIONS AT RHV
DATE: Thurs., June 6, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Nice Air (NE side of airport), 2575 Robert Fowler Way
SPEAKER: Drew Mac Queen, ATC Specialist, Reid-Hillview ATCT, & Earl Wigham, Airport Operations, Reid-Hillview Airport
SPONSOR: Nice Air
CONTACT: Nice Air Dispatcher, or, Chuck Pati (408) 729-3383

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THE PROPER APPROACH TO MAKING GOOD LANDINGS
DATE: Thurs., June 13, 7-9:00 P.M.
LOCATION: Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport), 1144 Coleman Ave.
SPEAKER: Gregg Davis, Trade Winds Aviation CFI
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Dispatch, or, Mark Beer (408) 298-9161

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
OSHKOSH BY GOSH AND BACK
DATE: Tues., June 25, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
LOCATION: American Flyers ground training facility, San Jose Jet Center,
1250 Aviation Avenue, Suite #190
SPEAKER: Clint Hensley, CFI - A & I, proprietor of Aerocare
SPONSORS: American Flyers
CONTACT: John Murphy or Fred Abrams (408) 297-2123

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
THE NEW AIRSPACE REVISITED
DATE: Thurs., June 27, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: General Aviation Terminal Building (Southeast end of airport)
SPEAKER: Dave Henderson,CFI, Squadron #2 Flying Club
SPONSORS: Squadron 2 Flying Club, and Pacific Aero Sales
CONTACT: Jeff Faulkner (408) 275-0300, or (408) 943-1727

REID HILLVIEW AIRPORT
HOW TO PASS THE CHECK RIDE
DATE: Wed., July 3, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Nice Air (NE side of airport), 2575 Robert Fowler Way
SPEAKER: Cliff Hodges, FAA Pilot Examiner, San Jose FSDO ASC
SPONSOR: Nice Air
CONTACT: Dispatch, (408) 729-3383

SAN JOSE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
"THE RIGHT STUFF" FOR GOOD JUDGEMENT
DATE: Thurs., July 11, 7-9 P.M.
LOCATION: Trade Winds Aviation (West side of airport), 1144 Coleman Ave.
SPEAKER: Mike Montalvo, Trade Winds Aviation CFI-A&I and Reasearch
Associate, Flight Managenent and Human Factors Division, San Jose State University Foundation-NASA, Ames Research Center
SPONSOR: Trade Winds Aviation
CONTACT: Dispatch, or, Mark Beer (408) 298-9161

SACRAMENTO AREA

VACAVILLE AREA
"Back to Basics On Landings Part One"
Date: Thurs., June 6, 7 P.M.
Location: Blue Ridge Aeronautics, Nut Tree Airport, 300 Airport Road, Vacaville
Sponsor: Solano Pilot's Association, Blue Ridge Aeronautics
Contact: Grover Wright (707) 449-6263, Rusty Mays (707) 451-4400

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Sacramento Executive Air Fair", `Wings and Wheels'. "Back to Basics On Landings Part One"
Date: Sun., June 9, 1996
Air Fair 7:30 A.M. - 4 P.M.,
FAA Safety Seminar 10 A.M.-Noon
Location: Sacramento Executive Airport,
(Check Air Fair Program for Building Location for Safety Seminar).
Sponsor: Air Fair: Executive Air Fair Committee, Sacramento 99's
Safety Seminar: Flight Operations, Executive Air Fair Committee
Contact: Executive Air Fair Committee (916) 429-3379

AUBURN AREA
"Back to Basics "Continuing the On Landings Series" "
Date: Tues., June 11, 7 P.M.
Location: The Irene Burns Room, County Education Building, 360 Nevada Street, Auburn
Sponsor: Placer Gold 99's
Contact: Lorri Hukill (916) 477-7765

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Operation Raincheck"
Date: One Saturday per month, 8 A.M. till Noon.
Location: Sacramento TRACON, 5839 22nd Street, Rio Linda, off Elkhorn Blvd.
Sponsor: FAA Air Traffic Control
Contact: Asst. Manager for Operations (916) 922-9511
Call for reservations

SACRAMENTO AREA
"Operation Takeoff".
Date: Sat., June 8 and 22, 9 A.M. to Noon
Location: Rancho Murieta AFSS, 14670 Cantova Way, Suite 101, Rancho Murieta
Sponsor: Rancho Murieta AFSS
Contact: Randy Colvin (916)354-0161 ext.138
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED.

ANGWIN AREA
"Mountain Flying."
Date: Tues., June 18, 7 P.M.
Location: Davidian Hall, Room 205, End of Angwin Ave. Building on Left, Angwin
Sponsor: PUC Flight Center
Contact: Reinhard Jarschke (707) 965-6219
Call Ahead if you are Flying In.

SACRAMENTO AREA
" Metar/TAF The New Weather and How to Understand It"
Date: Wed., June 19, 7 P.M.
Speaker: Randy Colvin of the Rancho Murieta Flight Service Station.
Location: SMUD Auditorium, 6201 S. Street
Sponsor: FAA
Contact: Dan Abdon (916) 422-0272

RIO LINDA AREA
"Back to Basics On Landings Part One"
Date: Tues., June 25, 7 P.M.
Location: Rio Linda/Elverta Community Center, 810 Oak Lane, Rio Linda, (South
of M Street and Front Street Intersection).
Sponsor: Mauser Aviation, Sacramento Valley Pilot's Association
Contact: Mauser Aviaton (916) 991-1725

CHICO AREA
"Back to Basics `Flying Close to the Ground' Stalls and Ground Reference Maneuvers."
Date: Wed., June 26, 7 PM
Location: Chico Airport, Airport Terminal Bldg
Sponsor: Pacific Flight Services, Mt. Shasta 99's
Contact: Diane Schneeweis or Linda Patrick (916) 893-6727

JACKSON AREA
"On Landings Part One and Metar/TAF The New Weather."
Date: Thurs., June 27, 7 P.M.
Location: Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson
Sponsor: Jackson Goldust 99's
Contact: Betty Brandson (209) 296-7328

FRESNO AREA

WINGS PINS SUPLIED BY AVEMCO INSURANCE COMPANY

VISALIA
HAND-PROPPING
Date: Tues., June 6, 7 P.M.
Location: Visalia Airport Building
Speaker: Ty Sundstrom, A&P
Sponsor: The City of Visalia.
Contact: Richard D. Hague, 209-487-5306

Module 5: Departure and climb: Aircraft fueling procedures, engine start, taxi, departure and climb, with special emphasis on Low Altitude Emergencies.

BAKERSFIELD
Date: Thurs., June 13, 7 P.M.
Location: Anton's Airport Restaurant at BFL
Sponsor: Anton's Airport Restaurant. Remember to ask for your 20% discount for dinner on seminar nights.
Contact: Richard D. Hague, 209-487-5306

MERCED
Date: Thurs., June 20, 7 P.M.
Location: Building 411, Castle Airport
Sponsor: The Castle Club.
Contact: Richard D. Hague, 209-487-5306

FRESNO
Date: Thurs., June 27, 7 P.M.
Location: Fresno Chandler Admin Bldg
Sponsor: Fresno Department of Airports.
Contact: Richard D. Hague, 209-487-5306

WINGS PROFICIENCY AWARD PROGRAM

FAT FSDO
PHASE I
Asano Kazuaki
Bruce Niemeyer
Carol Smith
Steven Stoehr
Greg Todd

PHASE II
Dennis Cummins
Joe Gordon
Glenn Kangiser

PHASE III
Michael Jorgensen

PHASE IV
Paul Conley
Charles Touton

PHASE V
Hugh Flanagan
Naomi Witmer

SAC FSDO
PHASE I
Sanford Balkan
Donna Cheney
Douglas Hampton
Robert Stevenson
William Van Dusen

PHASE II
Vincent Rubatzky
Donald Prien

PHASE III
Robert Stiles
Lee Cole

PHASE IV
David Ramacciotti

PHASE VI
Donald Nostrant

PHASE X
S. Alfred Fox

SJC FSDO
PHASE I
Robert Bailey
Michael Biggi
Richard Bourgeois
Theodore Carr
Albert Comparini
Roger Eckert
Michael Flint
Norman Gaul
Benjamin Gliniak
Melinda Harned
Robert Luten
Larry Myrick
Fritz Peyer
Douglas Pocius
Gary Raper
Justin Stout
Eric Sveum
Diane Tenborg
Richard Thomas
Joseph Wagster, Jr.
Uwe Wessbecker
Adam White
Craig Woods

PHASE II
Glynn Dennis
Steve Ewolhin
Timothy Foley
John Harrington
Thomas Kallos
Thomas Neale
Clifford Rudolph
Ajmir Singh
Mark Stein
Andrew Trujillo
Gary Waldeck
Pierre Wildman

PHASE III
Patricia Caine
Athan Constantine
Robert Eustace
Richard George
Ed Gilmartin
Michael Heney
Christophl Jacquet
Walter Knodle
Balkar Sidhu

PHASE IV
Donald Kaye
David Yamada

PHASE V
James Steelhammer

PHASE VI
Bruce Riter
William Viezee

PHASE VII
Anita Kohfeld

OAK FSDO
PHASE I
William Crouse

PHASE II
Brent Willers
Todd Gumbrecht

PHASE III
Joseph Tuminello
Tate Minckler
Donald Hilliker

NORCAL
Aviation Review
This newsletter is published monthly by the Aviation Safety Program of the Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Western- Pacific Region. Notices are also contributed by the Air Traffic Control branch of the FAA.
Your comments and suggestions regarding this newsletter are welcomed. Please send them to: FM Regional Aviation Safety Program Manager, AWP-204,Ro. Box 92007, World way Postal center, Los Angeles, CA 90009

Norcal,

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