Rule 5
 

At a general aviation airfield where I often go to teach circuits it has become the practice to initiate the climbing turn after take off well below 500 ft in order to avoid overflying a relatively new building estate which was recently built not far from the runway! Note this procedure is NOT notified in the Air Pilot, etc.
For the moment forgetting the airmanship aspects of turning below 500 ft ( especially with students, etc.), if one is not flying the circuit in "accordance with normal aviation practice" then this surely contravenes Rule 5?
Would someone who lives below the flight path of this "non standard" circuit then have a reasonable case against anyone who overflies in this manner?


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Turning below 500' AGL in my opinion is not an accepted practice, especially with students . The reg's state 1000' AGL unless Landing,Taking Off, or due stress of weather... If these people choose to bild near an aerodrome, then THEY must live with the noise etc.

If an aircraft turns over their house below 500' AGL to miss other houses, then they might have a case. A common standard MUST be taught from day 1!!!!!

Do not deviate from the regs!

:)

I LOVE AIRCRAFT NOISE

Which 'reg' states "1000' AGL unless Landing,Taking Off, or due stress of weather..."? As far as I recall, not having the ANO to hand, Rule 5(1)(e) states only that an aircraft shall not be flown within 500' of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure unless taking off or landing in accordance with normal aviation practice. There is no indication of what is considered to be 'normal aviation practice' nor a minimum height for commencing a noise abatement procedure after take off or even a minimum height for commencing the first turn after take-off. I can think of a number of (mainly GA) airfield which have noise abatement procedures commencing below 500' agl.

Whether such a procedure is sensible is a matter of personal opinion and depends upon that, seemingly now unfashionable, idea called Airmanship. In this case the procedure is not publicised in the AIP, you (the pilot-in-command) consider it to be dangerous - don't comply with it. After all, your responsibility for the safety of your aircraft and all it's occupants can override the provisions of the AIP and the ANO in certain circumstances. You may, of course, have to justify that in court if the CAA disagree with your assessment of the danger.

Rolling circle - agree entirely!

What interests me though is what is the definition of "normal aviation practice"?
If "most" aircraft are piloted in a particular way then is this "normal" in the eyes of the law?

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You have to remember that people reading or leaving replies on pprune are from anywhere in the world.
The term 'regs' sounds like a US instructor to me and and anyway seeing as there is no British or JAA law forbidding a turn before 1000' agl he mustn't be a UK pilot.
To answer your question rule 5 merely wants to protect Joe Bloggs from any of us pilots flying too low. Of course we have to take off and land at some stage that is why we have the exemption. But it doesnt state that you have to climb straight out and not turn before 500'agl, that is purely an airmanship factor.
Oh and yes, doing right from the beginning is far better for the student.

I have been the go-between in a previous life re noise, operators, communities etc. In the UK rule 5 applies, also importantly, there is no statutory definition of 'on or off-track', so a prosecution for poor track keeping is to date, impossible. The best way to progress these issues is by having local procedures to adhere to and ensuring all pilots are properly briefed and aware of the issue. The primary issue should always be safety, tie that to rule 5 and you won,t go far wrong. If you are in the London area or anywhere on the A1 corridor my assistance can be bought for BEER!. There is a precedent in the courts at Heathrow but can't recall details, where the issue of tresspass (overflying a property) was addressed, and the plaintiffs lost.
Brgds JS

Its very easy to find out where a contributor is from, check his profile, bit of a novelty I know, but it does work! The 1000' thing is Australian, although personally I thought it was 500' when I worked down there. The issue of turning below 500' is acceptable under some circumstances, bad wx circuits being one. Also, the military always turn before 500' in their Bulldogs!