Minimum Safe Altitude

Over many years comp finishes in the UK breached the
low flying rules, everyone knew it, some of us said
so publicly and were derided for it. Now we have had
the accident and from now on the BGA rules will have
to be approved by the CAA. If you think that the FAA
would act any differently from the CAA then carry on,
if you don't, do something about it now before you
get something imposed on you that no-one likes.

At 16:48 12 February 2007, Kirk.Stant wrote:
My point in all of this is; SSA sanctioned rules violate
FAR 91.119 and we are in a vulnerable position if
we
have a UK type accident.

No they don't. Like anything else in life, common
sense is required.
You have to place the finish line so that you either
finish along a
runway, or away from people and property.

Kirk believes the AIM allows him to fly any pattern
he wishes. I'd like to listen in as he explains his
50 foot pattern to the Federallies. Let's see now,
you started your pattern at 50 feet, pulled up to
a
tear-drop, down-wind and then landed the other way?
When they get through shaking their heads, they'll
read him the FAR about Minimum Safe Altitude, then
the FAR about Reckless Flying, then they'll lift his
ticket and well have one less cowboy ruining this
sport
for the rest of us.
JJ

Again, your interpretation vs mine. I've already talked
to some FAA
guys about it, and they agree with me. I'm sure you
can find some
other ones who would violate me on the spot - in fact
I know one here
in IL. Funny though, a circling approach at minimums
is OK, though,
to these same guys. Guess it depends on what you are
trained to do,
and who pays you salary.

There is a difference between hotdogging in the pattern
and flying a
thought-out contest finish. And the FARs and AIM provide
ample
guidance on what you can - and cannot - do in the pattern.
I comply
with the regulations. You do not want to see it that
way, so be it.
But it seems to me that I'm not the cowboy in this
rodeo trying to
ruin this sport!

Unfortunately, it's becoming a moot point since the
creeping
mediocrity of pilot-selected tasks and 500'/1 mile
finishes after a 2
hour task seems to be taking over the sport. I guess
my definition of
a 'contest' is different from some others out there.

And a happy monday to you, too!

Kirk
66