Why do pilots do this?????

[patw]

This probably belongs in the Rant section because right now I want to rant! Just a few minutes ago, this plane flew very near our house. I could see the pilot, thats how low he was flying. I ran inside and grabbed my camera as he was turning to come back to fly over Nippers. You can see how low he was if you use the BATELCO tower on the left as a guide. I have seen them fly even lower and its scary. Is it the thrill of seeing Nippers from the air?? I don't understand why anyone would be so foolish.

[val]

pilot was flying within legal limits

[patw]

I totally disagree with you and am waiting to hear from a friend in the FAA. Flying barely above the BATELCO tower is not only stupid but its dangerous.

[SamFamAustin]

Here's the Code of Federal Regulations (US), which may be close to other international laws:

Sec. 91.119 - Minimum safe altitudes: General.
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(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. 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.

I've had a similar problem on our little Island so let me know what you find out. The local police and airports certainly did not help. The kicker appears to be (c) in this case. If you can read the airplane code on the tail, such as N27280, you should write it down, for sure. /Sam

[rumrunner]

Pray tell what has the FAA got to do with the Bahamas. Last time I checked Guana Cay was still in the Bahamas a soverign nation.

[CR]

Rumrunner,
The UK and I beleive most of the world have the same limits and Bahamian regulations are surely based on one of these.
I imagine if they flew that low over your family - you would have a different reaction.
It seems that you only post in an effort to get a reaction out of the Great Guana Cay residents - whats up with that?

R.

[SamFamAustin]

Well the FAA website did say that many countries had similar safe altitude regulations as in Chapter 91, although they certainly didn't list them. What does change is how one measures altitude above ground level (AGL), which can be defined by pressure setting, surrounding airports, sea level, land elevations, and other means. I am not a pilot so I am probably barking up a tree - but conviction carries me forward.

My second point has to do with prospect that the airplane might be of US registry and license. Just like a vessel or motorboat, one has to obey all FAA regulations even in foreign airspace as to safe handling - just like the USCG can investigate US boats way out at sea and out of the US exclusive economic zone. Folks, the days of "barnstorming" were decades ago, and this behaviour should not be allowed, IMHO. /Sam

[patw]

Thanks CR and Sam.

[AbacoBoy]

There seems to be lots of this type of flying in the Bahamas. I expect that the lack of enforcement is the reason that it happens. I personally think it's extremely risky, and wouldn't do it if it were legal. One man's opinion.

"Low and slow, is no way to go"

[Island Daze]

How about some pilots chime in on this one me personally i think it is within the legal flight rules but what the hell do i know.

[PattyB]

Legal schmegal -- It's annoying to those of us on the ground! I live near a small airport. Every now and then some hot dog pilot, looking for a little mustard, interrupts the peace of my day. It's no fun to feel the need to go diving for safety because some idiot pilot with more guts than brains buzzes my home.

[Island Daze]

Come on if you have to dive to the ground for a low plane i would hate to be in a car in traffic with you.Let people have fun and if it is a small annoyance think back on your life and when you annoyed people.

[PattyB]

We have had planes crash on the roads here in Fort Lauderdale many times in the past few years, from that very airport. Does that make my fear clear to you? Why should my safety be sacrificed for someone else's irresponsible quest for fun?

[coolchik]

irie,

I for one would ask that you not engage in personal attacks. The moderators have been kind enough to leave room for spirited disagreement; however, that could change if things get too nasty.