We can all agree -- THIS is a great aviation video...

"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:GTgrg.62820$ZW3.17380@dukeread04...
"gatt" wrote in message
...
"Jim Macklin" wrote in message
news:L5drg.62804$ZW3.40846@dukeread04...
I guess when you're making a movie, violation of the FAA and
USCG laws are OK?

How is it a violation?

§ 91.13 Careless or reckless operation.
(a) Aircraft operations for the purpose of air navigation.
No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless
manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.

Even assuming that the scene was filmed without special effects, a
meticulously planned and executed stunt--carefully coordinated with the
stunt performers in the boat--would not have endangered anyone. (Since there
are no clear rules as to what counts as reckless, the FAA could conceivably
try to invoke 91.13a anyway; but that's true regarding *any* flight, and in
any case they apparently haven't done so.)

(b) Aircraft operations other than for the purpose of air
navigation. No person may operate an aircraft, other than
for the purpose of air navigation, on any part of the
surface of an airport used by aircraft for air commerce
(including areas used by those aircraft for receiving or
discharging persons or cargo), in a careless or reckless
manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.

No airport surface was involved.

§ 91.115 Right-of-way rules: Water operations.
(a) General. Each person operating an aircraft on the water
shall, insofar as possible, keep clear of all vessels and
avoid impeding their navigation, and shall give way to any
vessel or other aircraft that is given the right-of-way by
any rule of this section.

The aircraft kept clear, and it had right of way according to 91.115b (the
plane was to the boat's right).

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

The aircraft was taking off, so the altitudes in 91.119 don't apply.

Note that just because you are taking off, you still must
comply with the regulations. Read this again...

[91.119](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.

Huh? According to the beginning of 91.119, parts a, b, and c *do not apply*
during takeoff or landing. If they did apply, then it would be illegal for
you to land on a runway whenever another plane is holding short less than
500' from your flight path!

--Gary