On Wed, 23 Apr 2008 09:18:04 -0500, "Steven P. McNicoll"
wrote in
:


"Larry Dighera" wrote in message
news

Six hundred feet is markedly less than 500 feet:


Uhh, no it isn't. Six hundred feet is more than 500 feet.



§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may
operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet
above the surface, except over open water or sparsely
populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be
operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle,
or structure.


I fail to see the connection between minimum safe altitudes and lateral
separation between aircraft.


Perhaps you know of other separation criteria that may have applied in
the situation under discussion.

Lacking that, I believe § 91.119 to be applicable in this case.


How do you interpret the intent of this sentence?

In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500
feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.

I infer 'closer' to include laterally as well as vertically. If
that's not correct, then the word 'above' or 'over' would have been
used.