is bigger better or worse

[GyroRon]

It really just boils down to needing to fly high enough to clear any thing you could fly into ( powerlines, cell phone towers, buildings, fences, cows, etc.... ) and having enough altitude to be able to make a controlled engine out landing.

Flying at 1000 feet usually gets you over most ground based things you could hit. It also usually gives you a little time to get set up for a landing if the engine quits.

Flying any higher just mainly gives you more time to prepare for landing, or at least more choice of where you will land.

It really doesn't matter if your in a Bensen or a sparrowhawk in my opinion ( other than you might see powerlines and that kind of stuff easier in a open frame machine. )

[eddie]

most people fly high because they are afraid there engine will quite,if you have that fear and avoid bad areas,trees etc,then you should probably not be flying. I fly my RAF at no higher than 400ft above the ground even on cross countrys,and i always fly in a straight line. my lowest alt is around 75ft,the lower i go the slower i fly,my normal slow flight speed is about 40 mph,and i see everything just fine. best regards.eddie.....

[Redbaron]

[QUOTE=eddie;496576]most people fly high because they are afraid there engine will quiteQUOTE]

good point eddie! for me tho I try not to fly over unlandable terrain! I'm a bit like birdy and scared of heights. 1200ft agl is my record. I'm aware my 2 stroke could quite but I take good care of it so its not my priority when flyin!

[Vance]

Originally Posted by eddie

most people fly high because they are afraid there engine will quite,if you have that fear and avoid bad areas,trees etc,then you should probably not be flying. I fly my RAF at no higher than 400ft above the ground even on cross countrys,and i always fly in a straight line. my lowest alt is around 75ft,the lower i go the slower i fly,my normal slow flight speed is about 40 mph,and i see everything just fine. best regards.eddie.....

Hello Eddie,

I am not afraid that the engine will go quiet; I know the engine will go quiet sooner or later. That is the nature of engines.

I am sorry you think I should not be flying because of my concerns.

It is my observation that people who felt their engines would not go quiet are overrepresented in the NTSB reports.

§ 91.119 Minimum safe altitudes: General.
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.

Why do you feel 91.119 does not apply to you Eddie?

I feel that flying slower close to the ground reduces your options and generally increases the likelihood of an undesirable outcome to something unexpected.

I was taught that altitude and airspeed are my friends.

I was taught that being out of altitude, airspeed and ideas often leads to an inelegant landing.

I don’t expect to change your mind Eddie.

I would not feel comfortable if I did not challenge your advice.

Thank you, Vance

[eddie]

New Mexico is sparsely populated there are places that i can fly more than 100 miles without seeing any buildings of any kind occupied or not.just to the east of where i live is white sands missle range,my wifes family ranch is on the missle range,the north area's are usally open to travel ,there are less than three or 4 buildings on the north ranges.i fly there quite a lot.I can travel anywhere without being around a populated area.the freedom to fly like that is a wonderful thing.best regards,eddie.....