Bob CollinsMinneapolis-St. Paul International Airport isn’t the only place where the neighbors are upset about the noise.
The Federal Aviation Administration today sent a notice to area pilots to stop flying low over the Lake Elmo area.
Over the past few weeks, the Minneapolis Flight Standards District Office has received numerous complaints against low flying aircraft in the Lake Elmo, MN flying area.
As a reminder to all, 14 CFR Part 91 is very specific with regards to aircraft operations over and around congested areas. 14 CFR Part 91.13 in part states, “No person may operate an aircraft in a Careless or Reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another”.
To clarify, property can be livestock, a car, a building, a boat, and even a power line or tower. Endangering or the fear of loss of those posessions is expressed by the owner or complainant and held as such in the eyes of the court.
As far as defining a congested area keep in mind the following:
Two people in a shed has been considered congested, its all up to the court.
With the climate we have here in the North Country and the limited time we have to truly enjoy the warm weather and great flying conditions, let’s not give cause to anyone in the air or on the ground to be concerned for their safety or that of their possessions.
Why is the definition of “congested area” significant?
Under the rules, an airplane can fly as low as 500 feet above the ground or water, although unless you’re landing or taking off, it would be fairly foolhardly to do.
Over “congested areas,” an airplane can’t fly lower than 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle.
Lake Elmo Airport has been in operation in one fashion or another since World War II. In recent years, as in other suburbs, more houses have been built nearby.
