Helicopter

If the plane looked like this (referring to paint jobs versus model type)

Cessna C-172

or this:

Cessna C-210

again, it is your CBP hard at work.

From their website: "CBP Air and Marine's [insert aircraft name here] surveillance aircraft, which fly with a crew of two (pilot and observer), are particularly effective platforms for law enforcement operations. They provide better range and endurance than helicopters and blend more effectively with local traffic to mask the presence of continuous air surveillance."

Scott.

FYI : Before people start crucifying the pilots of the helicopter or of the airplane in question for flying "too low", I thought it would be a good idea to explain the rules for such operations.
IF they were flying over the water, which it sounds like they were, they are perfectly legal to do so inches above the water so long as they maintain a 500ft. separation from any man-made object.
The separation rules are even less restrictive if the the aircraft is engaged in a commercial or a military operation that requires such a maneuver. There are also more rules for flying over sparsely and heavily populated areas as well as subjective
rules that the FAA could enforce that may apply to this situation, but that is the job of the FAA. I would guess that the pilots were just having a little fun. You get a real
sense of speed when you are flying low. Plus it is a lot of fun.

QUOTE(Red Tail @ Aug 5 2009, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>FYI : Before people start crucifying the pilots of the helicopter or of the airplane in question for flying "too low", I thought it would be a good idea to explain the rules for such operations.
IF they were flying over the water, which it sounds like they were, they are perfectly legal to do so inches above the water so long as they maintain a 500ft. separation from any man-made object.
The separation rules are even less restrictive if the the aircraft is engaged in a commercial or a military operation that requires such a maneuver. There are also more rules for flying over sparsely and heavily populated areas as well as subjective
rules that the FAA could enforce that may apply to this situation, but that is the job of the FAA. I would guess that the pilots were just having a little fun. You get a real
sense of speed when you are flying low. Plus it is a lot of fun.
So how low do you get that 747 you drive?

QUOTE(Stodge @ Aug 5 2009, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE(Red Tail @ Aug 5 2009, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>FYI : Before people start crucifying the pilots of the helicopter or of the airplane in question for flying "too low", I thought it would be a good idea to explain the rules for such operations.
IF they were flying over the water, which it sounds like they were, they are perfectly legal to do so inches above the water so long as they maintain a 500ft. separation from any man-made object.
The separation rules are even less restrictive if the the aircraft is engaged in a commercial or a military operation that requires such a maneuver. There are also more rules for flying over sparsely and heavily populated areas as well as subjective
rules that the FAA could enforce that may apply to this situation, but that is the job of the FAA. I would guess that the pilots were just having a little fun. You get a real
sense of speed when you are flying low. Plus it is a lot of fun.
So how low do you get that 747 you drive?


You drive a car...you pilot a plane

QUOTE(Soo Sassy @ Aug 5 2009, 01:01 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE(Stodge @ Aug 5 2009, 11:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>QUOTE(Red Tail @ Aug 5 2009, 11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>FYI : Before people start crucifying the pilots of the helicopter or of the airplane in question for flying "too low", I thought it would be a good idea to explain the rules for such operations.
IF they were flying over the water, which it sounds like they were, they are perfectly legal to do so inches above the water so long as they maintain a 500ft. separation from any man-made object.
The separation rules are even less restrictive if the the aircraft is engaged in a commercial or a military operation that requires such a maneuver. There are also more rules for flying over sparsely and heavily populated areas as well as subjective
rules that the FAA could enforce that may apply to this situation, but that is the job of the FAA. I would guess that the pilots were just having a little fun. You get a real
sense of speed when you are flying low. Plus it is a lot of fun.
So how low do you get that 747 you drive?


You drive a car...you pilot a plane

You park a plane, you park a car. Why can't you park a boat?

Besides, I think RedTail flies the plane.