Gets a bit tricky doesn't it
Comes back to this definition of "Congested area". If say Hyde or other parks are not a congested area by definition, then you could, as you always have the ability to "glide clear" . If the whole of London is defined as a congested area then, say your glide ratio is 1:10, and you have at least 10 miles to glide (50,000' or so) then you would need to be at least 5,000-6,000' to be able to comply. Which makes a mockery of the whole thing.
Would probably have to be tested in court, a good lawyer could probably argue that a park is not congested and so you didn't break any rules. If you don't glide clear, but end up in someones picture window, then I suppose you wouldn't care anyway
What about the Manchester LL route? 1200' I think is the max altitude, yet there are towns and settlements along the route....what do you do then? Weave around trying to avoid these areas or take the (safer?) option of just going overhead.
Nice high VFR routes with no ATC required whould be nice over major towns and airports....
Cyer
EA