FAA: Airplane pilot rules when doing touch and go landings...question below.?

Question

I live near an airport in an urban area. Mostly used by private jets and regular small airplanes, and occasionally larger jets (usually by pro sport teams). [no regular public flights]. I love to hear the jets land, and watching the planes. I have heard that there is some rule that you must have reached 1000 feet in altitude going in a STRAIGHT direction after liftoff, BEFORE you are allowed to make a TURN, over residential areas with many, many houses. Is this a law, or is there some law that requires anything like this? Many of the small planes turn immediately after lifting the runway, perhaps only 100 to 250 feet in the air, right over the top of my house, and they can be very loud. So I ask two questions. IS THERE A LAW about turning so low, and WHAT CAN I DO when this happens. (Yes I do have phone number of control tower).

I love planes, but don't want them on my roof! If they went straight, and got a little higher before turning, they would not be on my roof.

Answer 1

You're getting a lot of confusing (and some confused) answers. But, it doesn't need to be complex. You asked about FAA rules (regulations), so here are the answers:

(1) Is there a law? There is NO regulation requiring any minimum altitude before turning after takeoff. (You're probably getting the 1,000-foot number from a regulation which requires this as a minimum altitude when flying over heavily populated areas EXCEPT when taking off or landing: FAR 91.119, at the link below.)

(2) What can you do? You make it clear that there is a control tower at the airport. This means that the airplanes turning soon after takeoff are probably doing this because they've been asked to by the tower. If the tower didn't want the pilots doing this, the tower would tell them not to do it. (And, in fact, if the pilots were doing this in spite of the tower's instructions, they'd already be in trouble.)

But, this doesn't mean there's nothing you can do. Whether or not you will have any success will depend on your attitude and the reality of the situation.

As to your attitude, don't think of this as a law enforcement situation: "Some bad people are doing some bad things and I need to get a policeman--or in this case a tower controller--to make them stop." Realize that pilots WANT to be good neighbors. Unless you're a real stinker and have lots of enemies, nobody is flying over your house on purpose to bother you. So, instead of threat and punishment, think of this as a situation in which everybody is trying to be good and do the right thing, but there's still something not working out: You're trying to enjoy your house, and the pilots are trying to enjoy flying, and do so safely.

The reality of the situation also matters (as does being realistic). So, it is important that you get educated about the reality of the situation. I commend you for asking this question rather than calling up businesses at the airport and shouting at them with bad information. The people who make noise complaints and cite rules which don't exist always look silly, and it just makes them madder that pilots and businesses (naturally) don't take them seriously.

You would do yourself a great favor if you would go down to the airport and have a look around. If there's this much non-airline flying activity, there's probably a flight school at the airport, and maybe more than one. (If you told us the airport, we could help you look this up.) Go to one of the flight schools, but don't go there to complain. Go there and give them facts, and tell them that you want to take an introductory flight. Say something like, "I live in the neighborhood close to the airport, and lots of airplanes fly over my house. I'd like to understand why they're there, so I'd like to take in introductory lesson." Be prepared to pay some, but it won't be too expensive. You'll learn a lot, as long as you don't become confrontational or belligerent.

Seeing things from the airplane point of view may really help, particularly with being realistic. And, again, being realistic matters. You used the figure 100 feet, and I'll admit I'm skeptical about that claim. Even under the worst conditions, a training airplane would have only 10 to 15 seconds to get from lifting off the runway to flying over your house, which would have to be a tenth of a mile away. If this is truly the case, you live ON the airport property, or immediately next to it. (And, if you really do live immediately beside the airport, the airplanes will, I'm afraid, be just as loud if they go straight.)

As you educate yourself further, you may find that there are a number of options. You can contact the airport manager or other authority to find out if a noise study has been done at the airport. Homeowners who have genuine noise problems near airports are often helped with noise-remediation measures (such as better insulation). Further, airports can modify their traffic procedures to accommodate problem areas identified by such noise studies.

You can also ask the airport management if there are any "noise abatement" procedures in effect for the airport. If there are, you could take a look at them to see whether they're being followed. (Noise abatement procedures usually don't have the force of law, but pilots try to follow them because pilots want to be good neighbors.) If noise abatement procedures aren't being followed, you could ask whether you could help convince the city to put up better signs to inform pilots of the procedures. You could also ask whether the tower controllers have been asked to remind pilots of the procedures or to try to work within the procedures. If there are no noise abatement procedures, you could talk about putting together something reasonable to help pilots help themselves and your neighborhood. If all of that seems too formal, you could have the same kind of discussion with the flight school(s) or the local pilot's group, talking about where it would be best that they fly.

But, as I keep saying, being realistic matters. If encroaching residential development has turned the airport into an island in a sea of houses, pilots are going to have to fly over houses to get to and from the airport. And, they have to get really, really low to land and takeoff. Remember that no noise abatement request or procedure, no matter how serious, can change aircraft performance. (If the airplanes could climb higher, sooner, they would do that already; pilots don't like maneuvering near the ground.) Remember also that safety matters more than any other consideration. You can't ask, or expect, pilots to avoid flying over your house if that's the safest thing to do.

With the right attitude and some education, you may get results. At a minimum, you will get to the point where you understand what's happening, and sometimes that by itself actually makes things better.

Answer 2

That will not be an FAA rule, but rather an odd conglomeration of local, state, and federal laws.

The FAA states in the AIM that no turns should be made at less than 400' AGL while operating on an instrument flight plan, but the rules are a little more ambiguous in visual conditions. The FAA has granted limited authority to local and municipal governments to regulate some of the entry and exit procedures at airports.

For example, a city may state that no aircraft over xxxx decibels are allowed to take off or land at night. This local rule is enacted by the city and enforces by the local controlling agency (airport authority or local police) but written into FAA publications (such as the A/FD). These rules can also govern the direction aircraft depart, such as in cases like yours. However, if no such rule exists at your local airport, these pilots are doing nothing wrong and are simply being insensitive (kind of like that jerk that lives next to me who revs his motorcycle too loud).

I think the rule you may be trying to quote is the one that says the minimum operating altitude over densely populated areas is 1000' above ground level (AGL), however that does not apply on takeoff or landing. An early turn could be perfectly legal, and if in the opinion of the pilot it is safer (possibly due to upsloping terrain or towers or anything like that) it may even be necessary.

Your best bet would be to call the FAA control tower immediately after one of these events so that a log of the aircraft's registration number can be taken. The controller can tell you about any local noise laws that may be in place, and let you know what to do. If there is a violation of any laws, the controller will then take the necessary steps.

On a personal note, I'd like to point something out about airports and zoning though. If your case is anything like the hundreds of others I've heard of, that airport was built long before your house was built. Meaning, you accepted the location when you bought the house. I have seen far too many instances of airports being shut down by neighbors that complain of the noise only after they build their house directly under the final approach into an airport. If this is not your situation, please do not be offended. I am merely stating what I have seen happen too many times. Airports are loud. airports are busy. But airports bring millions of dollars in tax revenues and enterprise to local communities.

If there are a few maverick pilots breaking the rules, they should be punished and stopped. If, however, they are acting legally you may just need to get used to it or move.

Answer 3

Although I am a UK-based pilot, our rules are similar to yours in the US.

There is no actual regulation of which I am aware that governs when an aircraft should commence its turn onto the crosswind leg. However, most flight schools would teach students to make the turn at 500'. They would then continue to climb to the pattern altitude (we call it circuit height!) on the crosswind leg, and turn onto the downwind leg once they have reached pattern altitude (typically 1000', but not always, depending on local circumstances such as nearby airports etc).

However, none of the above is a legal requirement, but it IS good airmanship. If the airfield has a controlling authority, they may instruct an aircraft to turn at an earlier or later stage, and to vary the circuit in accordance with the situation at the time.

As a general rule of thumb, larger and more powerful aircraft, such as business jets would usually climb to a higher altitude before turning, but this is not a legal requirement.

I can see no reason why should not contact the Tower and tell them of your concerns - but please remember it is very difficult to determine precisely the height of an aircraft from the ground - even for seasoned pilots!

If you were able to obtain a map of the area showing your house in relation to the airfield and runway in question, it may help to clarify exactly what is happening.

Please forgive me for adding this, but, it may be helpful if you approach the Tower in a friendly manner, because it is a matter of record that airfields and flying organisations receive numerous complaints which are frequently unjustified, and these are usually made in a hostile and rude manner. So, if you raise concerns, rather than complain initially, you may well make more progress.

If there is anything else you wish to check out, you will find most of what you need to know in a book called AIM/FAR. This is usually available in Borders etc, and sets out most of the relevant law relating to aircraft and airfield operations.

I hope this helps...... Best wishes from England!

Answer 4

There is an airport like that not to far from here, but they only take private jets and propeller driven planes... Your answer, really there is no such rule, i have looked as well since their flight school comes in really low such as 500 feet in the area and there isnt a "law" or rule, but its probably because there is no tower. But in your area with it being near residental i think you have to be higher than 500 feet unless its a propeller driven plane then its basically up to the pilot in some cases. The FAA can examine or investigate into this if it continues to bother but as we all know that can take a while, the best thing to do is just give a complaint to the Air Tower and they'll do their best.

Answer 5

Doggzilla....you have no idea to which you speak. (at an uncontrolled field )after departure if staying in the pattern (to do touch and goes for landing practice) i turn cross wind at about 400-500' agl(above ground level) this happens at a distance of about 1/2-3/4 of a mile from the departure end of the runway to help in maintaining a close traffic pattern in the event of engine failure so that you can glide to a safe landing . then turn downwind climbing to 1000' agl as most airports have a traffic pattern altitude of 800-1000' agl. This info is provided in the FAA airport facilities directory.

IF you have the number to the control tower, that tells me the pilots are following a takeoff clearance which gives turn instructions as well. That in its self is all the law you need to know about.
As the FAR's state:
§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
top

Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.

(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.

(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.

(d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the Administrator.

Answer 6

Often slow aircraft are asked to turn at a lower altitude to allow faster aircraft to takeoff after them. If the airport is controlled airspace, the planes are directed by the control tower. They can refuse an instruction if they deem it to be unsafe, but most pilots (including myself) will comply with an instruction to turn early at a low altitude.

At uncontrolled airports (CDN regs), aircraft taking off must climb to 1,000 feet before making any turns. This is to avoid conflict with aircraft in the circuit at uncontrolled airport. Aircraft staying in the circuit can turn at any height, but typically about 500 feet.

Also we have a law that states aircraft must be operated at a minimum of 1000 feet over built up areas, and minimum distance (horizontally and vertically) of 500 feet from any structure, boat, person, etc)....except for the purposes of taking off and landing!!

I imagine FAA rules are similar.

Answer 7

It could be that the FAA has noise abatement rules in effect at that airport. Small planes (propellor driven) don't make enough noise to fall within that rule. But the noise footprint of a jet, even a business jet, may fall within that rule and have to maintain a runway heading until at a certain altitude.

Answer 8

Local flight rules will dictate what an aircraft can and cannot do. The tower will instruct the aircraft as what to do upon take off. Most of this is a result of noise abatement reguations. Try the below website for excellent help on this topic.

http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/aep/aircraft_noise/

Answer 9

Airports have noise restrictions they are supposed to abide by. Your best bet is to call the airport and ask what their published departure path for aircraft staying in the pattern is. You can also make a complaint about the noise and work towards getting them to climb higher and further out before turning downwind.

Answer 10

Yes, planes must reach 1000 feet before turning.

They are almost definately not at just 250ft, because even a cessna 152 can almost climb to 1000ft before reaching the end of the grass area beyond the runway, most definately with only one person in it.