Low flying??
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From: Isle 6, Dairy produce
Low flying??
Are there places in the UK that flight below 500' could be done? Also, would flying down a valley below 500' above terrain be in breach of Rule 5? (meaning possible ramblers that you hadn't noticed)
please don't flame me, just a query
please don't flame me, just a query
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From: beverley
Flight below 500ft could be done according to the rule: not closer than 500ft to any structure,vessel or person(something like that!),so pretty much anywhere If you are brave,you could in theory fly down an estuary away from bridges and boats at 5ft amsl.Not much time if you have an engine faliure though!
As for ramblers,they have to get the reg first and since they will probably be too busy shouting at someone like me on a mountain bike they probably wont notice!
I have done pfl's down to about 20ft agl taking advantage of the rules,after all if you don't go down to the ground you never know if you would make it.(watch out for the cables)
No complaints about me being irresponsible please
As for ramblers,they have to get the reg first and since they will probably be too busy shouting at someone like me on a mountain bike they probably wont notice!
I have done pfl's down to about 20ft agl taking advantage of the rules,after all if you don't go down to the ground you never know if you would make it.(watch out for the cables)
No complaints about me being irresponsible please
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From: Someplace where the water smells
Like mark said all rule 5 states is that you have to be 500ft from any person, vehicle, vessel or structure. On Morcambe bay in Lancs ther are not alot of things described above and so you are more than legal to fly at whatever height you like. You just have to trust you engine!
stue
stue
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From: Wiltshire
Although it might be legal below 500ft watch for military low level traffic. Get a map sowing their sreas if possible. At 420kts he will be only a speck on your windscreen then fill your windscreen. You will also be very slow moving in his eyes and it is often relative movement that triggers his view. Midairs in the past between fast low movers and light aircraft well documented. Even the wash from a 420kt guy can do you serious damage.
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I have done pfl's down to about 20ft agl taking advantage of the rules,after all if you don't go down to the ground you never know if you would make it.
Surely you can tell from 200ft if you're in a position to land safely from a glide approach? And if you're not sure, should you really be continuing into a position where you are totally reliant on the engine picking up instantly to get you out of trouble?
Why do it if it's not fun?
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From: Bournemouth
On Morcambe bay in Lancs ther are not alot of things described above and so you are more than legal to fly at whatever height you like
As for PFLs, I like to think of the PFL as being a way to practice the forced landing up to, and maybe slightly past, the turn to final if there are issues with the 500' rule. The latter stages of the PFL, including the landing, can be practiced at an airfield by doing a glide approach.
FFF
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From: UK
Ah, low flying. One of the pleasures of chugging around the Northern Pennines and Scottish Borders. Lots of places to go and have fun. Mil jets not a problem at 20ft except for wake turbulence. 
Yes it's potentially dangerous, possibly illegal and foolish, but so is driving at 100mph on country roads. It IS a blast though.
Yes it's potentially dangerous, possibly illegal and foolish, but so is driving at 100mph on country roads. It IS a blast though.
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From: ex-DXB
My FI Instructor always recommended to go as low as possible in PFL's but do an extra engine warm in the descent to stop the engine coughing!
The reason being that the last 300ft are of utmost importance and is really the whole point of the exercise - getting into a field safely!
If you bail out at 500 foot or even 2-300ft you have missed the main point.
I once started to bail out at about 300ft and he said to keep it going down. I was sure to make it but a quick gust with flap timing saw me wickedly undershoot in that last 300 ft.....Unbelieveable
Keep it as real and as legal as possible was his advice with very good reason
Craggs
The reason being that the last 300ft are of utmost importance and is really the whole point of the exercise - getting into a field safely!
If you bail out at 500 foot or even 2-300ft you have missed the main point.
I once started to bail out at about 300ft and he said to keep it going down. I was sure to make it but a quick gust with flap timing saw me wickedly undershoot in that last 300 ft.....Unbelieveable
Keep it as real and as legal as possible was his advice with very good reason
Craggs
Last edited by Craggenmore; 17th November 2005 at 00:16.
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From: Essex, UK
Craggs
This year we have lost so many pilots to what should have been survivable out landings.
Practicising the last bit back at the airfield is not practicising it at that field, with that windshear, in that windstrength and with that amount of field available.
I try and do a PFL every third flight.
This year we have lost so many pilots to what should have been survivable out landings.
Practicising the last bit back at the airfield is not practicising it at that field, with that windshear, in that windstrength and with that amount of field available.
I try and do a PFL every third flight.
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From: ex-DXB
Bar Shaker,
I have never practiced PFl's at an airfield; Only real fields or what has been available when the powerplant has been cut.
I only practice glide approaches at an airfield.
When I do PFL's, it has always been down to the absolute minimum, realistically and lawfully. This has included daisy-cutting and worm-burners. This is my entire point.
You have misunderstood my post with others (who do stop their PFL's at 300/500 foot.)
Edited to say, Bar Shaker, I have re read your post and understand what you were saying now...!!
I have never practiced PFl's at an airfield; Only real fields or what has been available when the powerplant has been cut.
I only practice glide approaches at an airfield.
When I do PFL's, it has always been down to the absolute minimum, realistically and lawfully. This has included daisy-cutting and worm-burners. This is my entire point.
You have misunderstood my post with others (who do stop their PFL's at 300/500 foot.)
Edited to say, Bar Shaker, I have re read your post and understand what you were saying now...!!
Last edited by Craggenmore; 17th November 2005 at 09:51.
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From: He's on the limb to nowhere
Top tip I was given when low flying is always dial in a small amount of up trim, so if your hand slips on the stick (airplanes with yokes should stay at a respectable altitude only ) you will automatically climb. Also watch you don't drag a wingtip in the turn.
) you will automatically climb. Also watch you don't drag a wingtip in the turn.
A little less conversation,
a little more aviation...
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From: Bracknell, UK
If you bail out at 500 foot or even 2-300ft you have missed the main point.
I once started to bail out at about 300ft and he said to keep it going down.
I once started to bail out at about 300ft and he said to keep it going down.
have a pretty damn impressive parachute......
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Surely the reason you're taught to aim 1/3 of the way into the field is to allow for gusts, windshear and the like causing a sudden undershoot?
And let's be honest here, the fields most PPLs practice PFLs into are hardly likely to have any significant curlover/windshear effects, unless you're flying in some particularly sporting terrain. So it therefore makes more sense to practice the last 2-300ft on a PFL or glide approach to an airfield, where you can also prcatice judging a flare from a higher RoD and IAS than that usually experienced in a powered approach.
As a further point, I would advocate practicing PFLs to airfields as well as to fields - is this not the method of recovery you'd use in the event of, say, a rough running engine?
Just my 2p's worth!
And let's be honest here, the fields most PPLs practice PFLs into are hardly likely to have any significant curlover/windshear effects, unless you're flying in some particularly sporting terrain. So it therefore makes more sense to practice the last 2-300ft on a PFL or glide approach to an airfield, where you can also prcatice judging a flare from a higher RoD and IAS than that usually experienced in a powered approach.
As a further point, I would advocate practicing PFLs to airfields as well as to fields - is this not the method of recovery you'd use in the event of, say, a rough running engine?
Just my 2p's worth!
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From: Someplace where the water smells
Someone I know flies very low over Morcambe Bay from time to time
Interesting thought though, is a burned out car classed as a vehicle and so you must comply with rule 5?
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From: Wor Yerm
Try hill soaring in a glider as legal dispensation is granted for this specific pastime. There are enough natural racetracks in the UK that can be really thrashed around (80 - 120 kts or so) for a few hours right down in the weeds and the best bit is that you are totally legal. And the fun really starts when there are a few of you!