How low can A/C fly..?

cheers all…

Many thanks…it was VERY low…like I said I have no idea of how to judge heights, but he disappeared from view very quickly when looking out of a 3rd story window.
The low flypast was witnessed by most of Hertford it seems and still is a subject of discussion on local forums.
If it helps ID the Bronco it had the ‘dayglow’ orange markings.

Shabby

www.55th.org
www.station131.co.uk

It’s Rule 5 – which is no closer than 500 feet to any object, person, vehicle or vessel. However any pilot must consider the ‘Land Clear’ rule which means that an aircraft must be at a sufficient height to be able to clear any built up area, conurbation, structure etc, and must not be lower than 1500 above the highest fixed object within 2000 feet of the aircraft. There is a 3000 feet rule for large open gatherings.

The 500′ rule does not apply to takeoffs and landings operating in accordance with normal aviation practice.

HTH.

Changed a couple of years ago, now 1000′ above built up areas and 1000′ feet from large gatherings.

(2) The low flying prohibitions
(a) Failure of power unit
An aircraft shall not be flown below such height as would enable it, in the event of a power unit failure, to make an emergency landing without causing danger to persons or property on the surface.
(b) The 500 feet rule
Except with the permission in writing of the CAA, an aircraft shall not be flown closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure.
(c) The 1000 feet rule
Except with the permission in writing of the CAA, an aircraft flying over a congested area of a city town or settlement shall not fly below a height of 1,000 feet above the highest fixed obstacle within a horizontal radius of 600 metres of the aircraft.
(d) The land clear rule
An aircraft flying over a congested area of a city town or settlement shall not fly below such height as will permit, in the event of a power unit failure, the aircraft to land clear of the congested area.
(e) Flying over open air assemblies
Except with the permission in writing of the CAA, an aircraft shall not fly over an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons below:
(i) a height of 1,000 feet, or
(ii) such height as will permit, in the event of a power unit failure, the aircraft to alight clear of the assembly,
whichever is the higher.
(f) Landing and taking off near open air assemblies
An aircraft shall not land or take-off within 1,000 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons, except
(i) at an aerodrome, in accordance with procedures notified by the CAA, or
(ii) at a landing site other than an aerodrome, in accordance with procedures notified by the CAA and with the written permission of the organiser of the assembly.

0′ and 30 knots down the correct side of the Basra Highway would be clean underwear time for me I’m afraid. I’m a devout coward.

Trust me, 10 feet at 120 knots along the Basra highway on the wrong side of the road is much more fun, plus you can fly with your arm out the window smoking tabs……

Helicopters come under the same rules but it is perfectly legal to fly at 10 feet above the ground provided you are at least 500′ from anyone. Your not best placed for an emergency but it can be great fun.

Not as much fun as 250′ @420 knots in a Harrier.:D I know, I’ve been there.
The Bronco is/was a noisy little beast for its size and power but that doesn’t mean I have anything against them, in fact I think they are brilliant little machines. I recently read somewhere that there is an ongoing debate about restarting production.

Very low indeed, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to land 😉

Helicopters come under the same rules but it is perfectly legal to fly at 10 feet above the ground provided you are at least 500′ from anyone. Your not best placed for an emergency but it can be great fun.

Except Helicopters, they can fly lower….

aircraft can fly as low as they like – however there is the 500 feet rule which says “Except with the permission in writing of the CAA, an aircraft shall not be flown closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure”

Neil

So flying low is allowed, just not within 500 feet of a person, vessel, vehicle or structure?

Cheers, Huw:)

I think just two.. only one of which is airworthy.

On a north-south course? Hardly a direct course for Straubing I would think!
How many Broncos are there in UK?

Any idea where it was travelling too?

The Duxford Bronco is allegedly in Straubing (EDMS) in South Germany for propeller work these days, so it may have been going or coming from there?

:dev2:

Hmmm don’t think she was from Dx… wonder where she had come from and was going too.?

aircraft can fly as low as they like – however there is the 500 feet rule which says “Except with the permission in writing of the CAA, an aircraft shall not be flown closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle or structure”

Neil

It’s Rule 5 – which is no closer than 500 feet to any object, person, vehicle or vessel. However any pilot must consider the ‘Land Clear’ rule which means that an aircraft must be at a sufficient height to be able to clear any built up area, conurbation, structure etc, and must not be lower than 1500 above the highest fixed object within 2000 feet of the aircraft. There is a 3000 feet rule for large open gatherings.

The 500′ rule does not apply to takeoffs and landings operating in accordance with normal aviation practice.

HTH.