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June, 1996

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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.

Thanks to the support of Aviation Safety Volunteers and friends, we are now online.

The NORCAL & SOCAL can be found at: http://www.aero.com

The SOCAL can also be found at 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

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TRACON LETTER TO AIRMEN No. 96-02

SUBJECT: Establishment of Service: Toll Free line to Southern California TRACON

CANCELLATION: May 2, 1998

A toll free number has been established for pilots within the Southern California area to call for IFR clearances and releases from uncontrolled airports and tower controlled airports when the tower is closed. The following is a list of airports where pilots may call from:

Whiteman        El Monte     Upland, Cable
Brackett        Chino        Corona
Riverside       Flabob       Rialto
San Bernardino  Redlands     Hemet
French Valley   Oceanside    Santa Ana, John Wayne
Fullerton       Long Beach   Los Alamitos
Torrance        Compton      Santa Monica
Hawthorne

Between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. local time pilots calling from Hemet or French Valley Airport should call the March GCA for clearance and release at (909) 655-2355.

Pilots calling from airports not listed should call the nearest Automated Flight Service Station for clearance and release.

John Mayrhofer
Air Traffic Manager,
Southern California TRACON

PALMDALE
LOS ANGELES ARTCC ATC
FAMILIARIZATION FOR PILOTS "OPERATION RAINCHECK"
DATE: Third Saturday 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. Monthly
Location: Los Angeles ARTC Center, Palmdale, Free TransportationFly into AF Plant 42 (3-day notice required)
Speaker: Various FAA Controllers
Contact: Los Angeles ARTCC, ATTN: Todd Whitman, 2555 E. Ave., "P", Palmdale, CA 93550 or (805) 538-2420, E-Mail Address: twhitman@hidesert.com
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
INTRODUCTION TO AVIATION FOR ASPIRING PILOTS
DATE: Every Sunday, 9-10 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Richard Mend CFI-AIM-ATP-ASC
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
ATTITUDE INSTRUMENT FLYING
DATE: Sat., June 1, 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Hank Smull, CFI-AIM-ATP ASC-VNY-FSDO
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PIPER PA-46 MALIBU/MIRAGE
DATE: Sat., June 8, 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Phillip Scharber, Piper Rep for Avex, Inc. (CMA)
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
INSTRUMENT COMP PROFICIENCY PLUS WINGS WEEKEND
DATE: Sat. & Sun., June 8 & 9, 9 - 5 P.M.
Location: Simulator & Instrument Training Center, 16501 Sherman Way, Suite 225, Van Nuys **
Contact: Simulator & Instrument Training Center (818) 988-7224
Special Note: Because this is a special two-day seminar, reservations must be reserved no later than June 5th. Completion of course satisfactorily will satisfy Instrument Comp Check.

VAN NUYS
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR SEMINAR - PREVENTING PILOT DEVIATIONS
AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES
DATE: Wed., June 12, 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc.,16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Blaise L. Winter, Aviation Safety Program Manager, VNY FSDO
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
AVOIDING VIOLATION OF THE LASFRA
DATE: Sat, June 15, 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Richard Mend, CFI-AIM-ATP
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
PILOT EMPLOYMENT SEMINAR: EMPLOYMENT PHYSICALS
DATE: Tue., June 18, 5:30 - 7 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Dave Fallon, TWA Pilot
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
DESERT AND SUMMER FLYING
DATE: Wed, June 19, 7 - 9 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc., 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Cindy Brickner, CFI-G/ASC, Caracole Soaring L-71
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
AVIATION TECHNICIAN SEMINAR:
SERVICING MAGNETOS
DATE: Thur., June 20, 5:30 - 7 P.M.
Location: AV8, Inc. 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Bill Mallory, IA/FAA-DME
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend - ASC (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

VAN NUYS
FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE KATANA DA-20
DATE: Sat., June 22, 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc. 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Mike Marchand, ASC/Chief Pilot F.A.S.T EMT
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP, FAA
Contact: Richard Mend ASC-VNY-FSDO (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

BURBANK
SAFE NAVIGATION WITH G.P.S.: CURRENT INFORMATION ON THE USE OF G.P.S. NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT
DATE: Sun. & Mon., June 23 & 24, 7-10 P.M.
Location: Burbank Hilton, 2500 Hollywood Way, near Burbank Airport
Speaker: Kent Eckhart, AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Sponsors: AOPA Air Safety Foundation, VNY FSDO
Contact: (818) 843-6000

VAN NUYS
FLIGHT CHARACTERISTICES OF THE BELL-47 HELICOPTER
DATE: Sat., June 29, 9 - 11 A.M.
Location: AV8, Inc. 16431 Vanowen Street, VNY Airport *
Speaker: Don Ballarini, Chief Pilot of Zemlock Helicopters (CNO)
Sponsors: Mend Aviation Ground Schools, AV8, Inc., CAP
Contact: Richard Mend ASC-VNY-FSDO (818) 994-9770
Reservations Required!

LOS ANGELES
HOW TO INSPECT AND WORK ON AIRCRAFT SEATS AND RELATED PARTS
DATE: Tues., June 4, 7-9 P.M.
Location: LAXFSDO, 240 W. Imperial Highway Suite 140 El Segundo
Speaker: Ira Waterman, LAX IA & ASC
Sponsor: LAX Aviation Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150

EL MONTE
METAR/TAF - NEW WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEM EFFECTIVE 1 JUL 96
DATE: Tues., June 11, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: El Monte Community Center 3130 N. Tyler, El Monte
Speaker: Jerry Stephens, CFI, Adv. Ground Instr & LAX ASC
Sponsor: LAXFSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150

EL MONTE
OLD DOGS NEW TRICKS -
CHARTING & NAVIGATION COMPLACENCY (VFR FLT PLANNING REVIEW)
DATE: Thurs., June 13, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: F.A.S.T Air (Fleet Aviation Services & Train
Speaker: F.A.S.T Air CFI's
Sponsor: F.A.S.T AIR & LAXFSDO Avn Safety Program
Contact: F.A.S.T. Air (818) 575-3278

LAVERNE
METAR/TAF NEW WEATHER REPORTING SYSTEM EFFECTIVE JUL. 1,1996
DATE: Tues., June 18, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: Brackett Airport Administration Building
Speakers: Cythnia Johnson & Steve Riedz Hawthorne AFSS Air Traffic Control Specialist
Sponsor: COMARCO & LAXFSDO Avn Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150

SANTA MONICA
CONTROLLED FLIGHT INTO TERRAIN (CFIT)
DATE: Thurs., June 20, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: Justice Aviation 2901 Airport Ave., Santa Monica(So. side of A/P)
Speaker: Joe Justice, Pres., owner Justice Aviation
Sponsor: Justice Aviation & LAXFSDO Avn Safety Program
Contact: Justice Aviation (310) 313-6792

EL MONTE
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM - AOPA/ AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
DATE: Tues., June 25, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: El Monte Community Center, 3130 N. Tyler, El Monte
Speakers: AOPA/AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION
Sponsors: AOPA & LAXFSDO Avn Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150

SANTA MONICA
SETTING YOUR OWN PERSONAL MINIMUMS(PART 1 OF 2 PART SERIES)
DATE: Thurs., June 27, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: Santa Monica Museum of Flying(third floor theater), Donald Douglas Dr. North
Speaker: Kathleen O'Brien Pres. Education Services for Aviation & Business CFII, LAXSDO ASC
Sponsor: Museum of Flying & LAXFSDO Avn Safety Program
Contact: Jim Whitehead (310) 215-2150

SOCAL INT'L AIRPORT
(X-GEORGE AFB)
LEARN HOW TO READ THE NEW METAR/TAF WEATHER REPORTS
DATE: Sat., June 8, 10 A.M. to Noon
Location: High Desert Flight Center-Bldg 728
Speaker: Ed Belsky, ASC
Sponsor: High Desert Flight Center
Contact: Ed Belsky at (619) 246-4359

RIVERSIDE AIRPORT
AIRSPACE WORKSHOP FOR FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS
DATE: Tues., June 11, 6:30-9:30P.M.
Location: Riverside FSDO on Riverside Municipal Airport
Program: Designed for CFIs who want a hands-on refresher guaranteed to challenge their knowledge on airspace (mini version of session 7 of the infamous CFI 10 Week Workshop).
Speaker: R.C. Morton, RAL FSDO
Sponsor: Riverside FSDO Safety Program.
Contact: R.C. Morton, SPM RAL FSDO (909) 276-6701 ext. 37
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

RIVERSIDE AIRPORT
THURSDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES
"STALL/SPIN: CLASSIC FACTS AND MYTHS" & "BASIC FUEL MANAGEMENT"
DATE: Thurs., June 13, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Location: Riverside FSDO on Riverside Municipal Airport
Speaker: None - This is an all video presentation
Sponsor: Riverside FSDO Safety Program.
Contact: R.C. Morton, SPM RAL FSDO (909) 276-6701 ext. 37
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

RIVERSIDE AIRPORT
"QUICK TURNAROUND REFRESHER"
SELECTED SHORT TOPICS TO INCREASE THE KNOWLEDGE OF NEW, OLD, OR ASPIRING PILOTS - LEGALLY LOGGING FLIGHT TIME ACCORDING TO FARS
DATE: Thurs., June 20, 6:30-8:30 P.M.
Location: Riverside FSDO on Riverside Municipal Airport
Speaker: R.C. Morton
Sponsor: Riverside FSDO Safety Program.
Contact: R.C. Morton, SPM RAL FSDO (909) 276-6701 ext. 37
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

UPLAND
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION PRESENTS - GPS NAVIGATION
DATE: Thurs., June 27, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: Merton E. Hill Auditorium, Chaffee Union High School
Speaker: Kent Eckhart - AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Sponsor: AOPA
Contact: AOPA at (800) 638-3101

LONG BEACH
THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIES AT THE FSDO
This week's selections include the AOPA's:
Weather, Flight Planning & the Pilot, Go/No-Go Weather Decisions, Evaluating In-Flight Weather
DATE: Thurs., June 6, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Long Beach*
Speaker: None - This is an all video presentation
Sponsor: LGB FSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: LGB FSDO (310) 420-1755
Reservations Required.

LONG BEACH
FLYING IN SOCAL'S SUMMER WEATHER
The dreaded "June Gloom" and the "Catalina Eddy" are typical SoCal summer weather patterns that can frustrate both VFR and IFR pilots alike. In this seminar, we'll discuss the factors that challenge our summer flying, including turbulence, inversions, and windshear. Plus, you'll learn valuable flying tips on how to deal with these conditions on your next local or XC flight.
DATE: Thurs., June 13, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Long Beach *
Speaker: Christopher L. Parker - CFII & LGB Safety Program Counselor.
Sponsor: LGB FSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: LGB FSDO (310) 420-1755
Reservations Required.

LONG BEACH
THURSDAY NIGHT MOVIES AT THE FSDO
This week's selection includes:
The 17 Most Popular Ways to Fall Out of The Sky and How to Avoid Them
DATE: Thurs., June 20, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Long Beach *
Speaker: None - This is an all video presentation
Sponsor: LGB FSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: LGB FSDO (310) 420-1755
Reservations Required.

COSTA MESA
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION'S LATEST SEMINAR - GLOBAL
POSITIONING SYSTEM - 150 slides plus a video.
DATE: Wed., June 26, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: Costa Mesa Community Center - 1845 Park Avenue (From I-405 take 55 south to 19th St. - Turn right - 2 blocks to Park Ave. - Turn left - the center is 1/2 block on the right.)
Speaker: AOPA Air Safety Foundation speakers
Sponsor: AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Contact: LGB FSDO (310) 420-1755

LONG BEACH
METAR/TAF
Learn the new international terminology for weather sequences and hourly observations that becomes effective in June 1996.
DATE: Thurs., June 27, 7-9:30 P.M.
Location: LGB FSDO, 5001 Airport Plaza Drive, Suite 100, Long Beach *
Speaker: Barbara Hartman - CFI, AGI
Sponsor: LGB FSDO Aviation Safety Program
Contact: LGB FSDO (310) 420-1755
Reservations Required.

In addition to the SoCAL Aviation Review, San Diego and Imperial County Safety Seminar schedules can also be found by calling the SAN AFSS, at 1-800-WX BRIEF, extension "# * 320". In the event last minute changes to the program are necessary, notification will be accomplished through update of the Flight Service Station recording.

GILLESPIE FIELD ATCT
OPERATION SUNBREAK
DATE: Call for date and time
Location: Gillespie Tower-2001 N. Marshall
Contact: Gillespie ATCT for info and reservations - (619) 448-1449
Sponsor: Gillespie Air Traffic Control Tower Specialists

MONTGOMERY FIELD ATCT
OPERATION SUNBREAK
DATE: Call for date and time
Location: Montgomery Tower - 4298 Ponderosa Avenue, San Diego
Contact: Montgomery ATCT for info and reservations - (619) 277-5601
Sponsor: Montgomery Air Traffic Control Tower Specialists

MONTGOMERY FIELD AFSS
OPERATION TAKE OFF
DATE: Sat., June 29, 9 A.M.-1 P.M.
Location: San Diego AFSS-4302 Ponderosa Ave
Contact: Orrin Kelso at the AFSS for info and reservations - (619) 277-0503
Sponsor: San Diego AFSS Specialists

BROWN FIELD
ON LANDINGS PART II & SDM ATCT OPERATION SUNBREAK
DATE: Tues., June 11, 7-9 P.M.
Location: Kome Flight Service-(619)661-6997
Speaker: Video Presentation - Red Phillips, ATP/CFI & SDM FAA ATC Personnel
Sponsor: Kome Flight Service & SDM ATCT

PALOMAR AIRPORT
ON LANDINGS PART II & CRQ ATCT OPERATION SUNBREAK
DATE: Thurs., June 13, 7-9 P.M.
Location: Mission West Conference Room
Speaker: Carolyn Erwin - CRQ FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist & Keith Ballenger - FSDO Safety Program Manager
Sponsor: Four Winds Aviation

FALLBROOK COMMUNITY AIRPARK
ON LANDINGS PART I
DATE: Tues., June 18, 7-9 P.M.
Location: Fallbrook Air Service
Speaker: Video Presentation - Keith Ballenger, FSDO Safety Program Manager
Sponsor: Fallbrook Air Service

GILLESPIE FIELD
ON LANDINGS PART II
DATE: Wed., June 19, 7-9 P.M.
Location: Terminal Building
Speaker: Video Presentation - William Ogelsby, ATP/CFI
Sponsor: Wingover Aviation

PALOMAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
AOPA AIR SAFETY FOUNDATION PRESENTS-GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS
DATE: Sat., June 22, 10 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Location: Palomar Community College Theater
Speaker: AOPA Air Safety Foundation
Sponsor: Palomar Community College & AOPA Air Safety Foundation

MONTGOMERY FIELD
AIR CARRIER & CORPORATE FLIGHTCREW FOCUS "FATIGUE & CONTINUED VFR FLIGHT IN IMC CONDITIONS"
DATE: Tues., June 25, 7-9 P.M.
Location: FAA FSDO (619) 557-5281
Speaker: Keith Ballenger - FSDO Safety Program Manager
Sponsor: San Diego FSDO Safety Program

IMPERIAL COUNTY AIRPORT
ON LANDINGS PART I
DATE: Thurs., June 27, 7-9 P.M.
Location: Terminal Building - 2nd Floor Conference Room
Speaker: Video Presentation - Keith Ballenger, FSDO Safety Program Manager
Sponsor: San Diego FSDO Safety Program

LAX FSDO
PHASE I
James Kennedy
Robert Martin
Danielle Mrdeza
James Sy

PHASE II
Sidney Chan

PHASE III
Douglas Charpentier
Samuel Levine
Matthew Santogrossi

PHASE VI
Melvin Auerbach

LGB FSDO
PHASE I
Mike Folks
Sumio Yukimura
Philip Minchosky
Brad Humphrey
Vincent Bonner
Frank Lopez
Daniel McCoy
Dori McMurtrey

PHASE II
William Fortensky

PHASE III
Walter Wien

PHASE V
Noboru Takatsuki

PHASE VII
Jerrell Thompson

PHASE VIII
Joseph Seitz

RAL FSDO
PHASE I
Vernon Poole
Troy Saxton-Getty

PHASE II
Douglas Rentmeester

PHASE V
James Potts

PHASE VII
Kenneth Turner

PHASE IX
Victor Caponetto

PHASE X
Cleo Burton

SAN FSDO
PHASE II
Thomas Nielsen

PHASE III
Donald Spencer

PHASE IV
Edward Fitzgibbons
Gerald Long

PHASE VII
Phillip Scharber

PHASE IX
Emilio De Soto

VNY FSDO
PHASE I
Gregory Romano
Jeff Luther
Robert Radich
Gustavo Lizarde
Walter Moorhead
Mark Wolper

PHASE II
Robert Finkel
Kenneth Milentz
Ronald Owen

PHASE III
Robert Ross
Thomas Dunn, Jr.
Jeff Marcure

PHASE IV
Bruce Brinkerhoff
Thomas Becker
Anne Tanner

PHASE VIII
Robert Kelly, Jr.

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