At 01:05 29 June 2020, Roy B. wrote:


So motoring down a ridge is infraction if hikers are there ?????


That is correct. read FAR 91.119 (c):

"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.

Like I said, everyone who has ever been down a ridge with a
"structure" or
a "person" on it has violated this section. Most don't get caught . . .
Some do.

ROY

In the UK we have a get out clause

The Civil Aviation Authority permits, under SERA.3105 and
SERA.5005(f) a glider to fly below 150 metres (500 feet) above the
ground or water or closer than 150 metres (500 feet) to any
person, vessel, vehicle or structure if it is hill-soaring.

http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?
catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=7417

Stephen