wrote in message
...
On Jul 25, 6:28 pm, "Mike" wrote:
"Newps" wrote in message

. ..

Gig 601Xl Builder wrote:

Just as a point of interest these two pipeline patrol pilots do often
meet up in the air. A long while back they decided that one would fly
at
400' AGL and the other would do 500'.

You have to get a waiver to fly a 500 foot altitude at all times. They
don't give waivers for less than that so the 400 foot guy was busting
the
reg for traffic purposes.

Hogwash.

In Canda, we have this rule in
http://www.tc.gc.ca/CivilAviation/Re...602.htm#602_14
CAR 602.15(2) A person may operate an aircraft, to the extent
necessary for the purpose of the operation in which the aircraft is
engaged, at altitudes and distances less than those set out in

(a) paragraph 602.14(2)(a), where operation of the aircraft is
authorized under Subpart 3 or section 702.22; or

(b) paragraph 602.14(2)(b), where the aircraft is operated without
creating a hazard to persons or property on the surface and the
aircraft is operated for the purpose of

(i) aerial application or aerial inspection,

(ii) aerial photography conducted by the holder of an air operator
certificate,

(iii) helicopter external load operations, or

(iv) flight training conducted by or under the supervision of a
qualified flight instructor.

So (i) allows it for pipeline patrol. They come over our
airport looking at pipe ROW at around 150'.

I looked at FAR 9.119 but couldn't see any exemptions similar to
ours. They call it a "general" which leads me to believe that there
might be some other section dealing with pipeline patrolling or other
low-altitude ops such as cropspraying.
See
http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...2.4.10&idno=14

Dan

I have no idea what Canada does, but one has to assume there is a method for
getting approval because lots of commercial flying has to be done at lower
than 500'. What I can say is that in the US it is possible to get a waiver
for whatever altitude is necessary to perform the function (aerial
application, pipeline patrol, banner tows, etc.), and many commercial
aviators have waivers that do NOT specify a hard limit such as 500' or
anything else, and that includes pipeline patrol. I know pipeline patrol
guys that routinely go down to 200' or lower quite legally and I'm pretty
sure no aerial applicator is going to spray for boll weevils at 500'.
Stating "they don't give waivers for less than [500']" is hogwash.