Originally Posted by
Pilot DAR
A recent accident has me reminding myself that in some cases, a pilot may become very carefree when flying in an environment where no one is watching. A prime example of this is low flying over water, particularly in seaplanes.
Indeed, I happened across an aircraft manufacture's web page which describes low flying techniques in their aircraft. This page is still there, after their chief test pilot died in a low flying accident in one of their aircraft.
Canada offers magnificent expanses over which one could fly at any altitude, and no one would know, nor care. As a very new pilot, I recall low flying a frozen lake in a friend's 182. I was miles from anyone, who would know? Well, who would know if I CFIT'd it either!? I recall suddenly realizing, that over the unbroken snow, I had no idea if I was 50 feet or 50 inches above the surface - I pulled up, and never did that again!
Civil land pilots are not trained to consider the additional factors associated with low flying: Loss of vertical reference, wires, birdstrike, where you're going if it quits, and even loss of horizontal reference if you're low flying among higher ground.
I doubt that anyone (other than maybe crop duster pilots) would want the liability of conducting low flying instruction. There are small elements of it in a seaplane rating (glassy water landings), but otherwise everyone who could be liable, is probably more happy if you're at 500 feet, other than departure and arrival.
There is a very old quotation " there are old pilots and there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots!"
Usually flying low you will have height references, trees, buildings, people etc, snow or water being the most likely exception but that is not the biggest risk. Far more pilots are caught out by low cloud, pressing on in worsening conditions, flying towards rising ground, between hills and unfamiliar mountains.
My advice to new pilots is fly solo in good weather where visibility is good, learn to recognise ground features and navigate without GPS, yes, actually use a compass, away from your airfield circuit stay over 1000ft AGL. In poor weather take an instructor with you, if he is any good he will teach you the safe limits and probably scare you ****less in the process. Apart from flying skills be meticulous preparing your aircraft, if the engine stops you are going to crash, only the lucky guys walk away.