We live and fly in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
It’s all too easy to want to get closer and closer to the stellar things surrounding us, but we can’t get too close, can we?
No, we can’t!
No matter how much you’d like to swim with the whales while you’re up in the sky, planes cannot be taken down past certain AGL altitude restrictions per FAA regulations. First up to bat is the restriction set in place above non-populated areas.
Over non-populated areas like fields or mountainsides, the airplane needs to stay at or above 500 feet AGL. This restriction, as with all altitude restrictions, exists to ensure that pilots are staying as safe as possible by providing themselves with enough space and time to take care of any emergencies that could occur in the air. Switch over to a populated area like downtown SLO, and the restriction jumps up to 1,000 feet AGL. Now you’re not just looking out for your own safety, but for the safety of others below you.
How about over the ocean?
The best practice to follow over the water is to stay at or above at least 1,000 feet AGL. Sea birds often hover low over the water and can cause considerable, if not life-threatening, damage to the aircraft if struck. In that same school of thought, should the aircraft be thrown into an emergency situation in which power is no longer being generated, it’s best to be positioned high above the water so that a power-off glide can be maintained back to the shore.
Also notable are the marine sanctuaries that dot our gorgeous coastline. National marine sanctuaries, like those found off the coast near San Simeon and in Monterey, mandate that aircraft remain above 1,000 feet MSL to avoid disturbing the wildlife that the sanctuaries set out to protect. Fines associated with violations of these mandates can cost a neglectful pilot as much as $10,000. What a waste!
When in doubt about any specific altitude restrictions or best practices, you can always refer to your updated FAR/AIM (§91.119), sectional charts (for sanctuary designations), or call our front desk and ask to speak with a SunWest flight instructor in regards to planning your next flight.