wrote:
George Patterson wrote:

Steven P. McNicoll wrote:


Ehh? Very close to ORD the controlled airspace goes down to the surface.
None of that surface is Lake Michigan, however.

Then it would be pretty hard for a seaplane to be taking off there, wouldn't it.


Along most of the Illinois Lake Michigan shoreline controlled airspace
begins at 700' AGL.

I've got the sectional right in front of me. The class B floor is 3,000' or
higher over the lake. Now, you can be an asshole and try to pick nits if you
like, but THERE'S NO REQUIREMENT FOR THAT SEAPLANE TO TALK TO THE ORD
CONTROLLERS PRIOR TO THAT TAKEOFF, NOR WOULD THE ORD CONTROLLERS WANT TO HEAR
FROM HIM.


From a practical matter, does the seaplane have any duty to radio that
they're taking off? What about any traffic flying in back of the
seaplane, in blind spots? And ORD arr. and dep. traffic appears lower
than 3000'
near the Chicago shore.

JG

But the traffic is not below 3000 feet over the water and the departing
traffic from the water would be broadcasting on a separate frequency
from the airliners in any case. The landing traffic would be looking at
the water where they are landing and has the responsibility to ensure
that the area is clear.