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Old February 4th 08, 06:51 PM posted to rec.aviation.student,rec.aviation.piloting
Mxsmanic
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Posts: 9,169
Default Night VFR following highways

Gig 601XL Builder writes:

Why would you say that?


Helicopters can move more safely at very low altitudes because they are not
obligated to move forward at any minimum speed.

There are no differences in the allowed altitudes for fixed wing and
rotary wing aircraft.


There are big differences in flying over a road at 25 feet and 3 knots, and
flying over a road at 25 feet and 95 knots.

And in a helo, just like in fixed wing, the more altitude the
more options when there is a failure.


But at extremely low altitudes, the number of options required is reduced. If
the engine fails in a helicopter at ten feet above the ground, it's not really
a crisis. On a large flat area of ground, this can be true for an airplane,
too, but airplanes have the added danger of rapid forward movement.