National Seashore/bird sanctuary overflight altitudes?

My instructor has asked me to plan a flight that overflies
marked bird sanctuaries/seashore on the sectional, with
stops at various airports. The sectional shows the
wildlife/seashore areas close to the airports. Should I
circle before heading out over these areas to gain altitude,
or just climb out on course? How high should I climb
first?

TonyR wrote:
My instructor has asked me to plan a flight that overflies
marked bird sanctuaries/seashore on the sectional, with
stops at various airports. The sectional shows the
wildlife/seashore areas close to the airports. Should I
circle before heading out over these areas to gain altitude,
or just climb out on course? How high should I climb
first?

How high does the sectional say you should stay above the sanctuary?
If it provides an altitude, an option may be to circle above the
airport (announce your position frequently if CTAF) until you're at
that altitude. If no altitude is specified, higher than 1000' AGL may
be good enough, but 2000' AGL would be better, primarily for ecological
reasons. Again, circle until you're above that altitude. You may also
want to ask the instructor or other locals for local customs.

Watch out for birds. If one (or a flock) appears to be on a collision
course, you should climb because their instinct is to dive.

At least once, I've had a large bird try to scare me by coming toward
me and spreading its wings. Beautiful, but pretty scary. They always
dive once they're done demonstrating their prowess.

FAR/AIM says 2000' minimum.


rps wrote:
TonyR wrote:

My instructor has asked me to plan a flight that overflies
marked bird sanctuaries/seashore on the sectional, with
stops at various airports. The sectional shows the
wildlife/seashore areas close to the airports. Should I
circle before heading out over these areas to gain altitude,
or just climb out on course? How high should I climb
first?


How high does the sectional say you should stay above the sanctuary?
If it provides an altitude, an option may be to circle above the
airport (announce your position frequently if CTAF) until you're at
that altitude. If no altitude is specified, higher than 1000' AGL may
be good enough, but 2000' AGL would be better, primarily for ecological
reasons. Again, circle until you're above that altitude. You may also
want to ask the instructor or other locals for local customs.

Watch out for birds. If one (or a flock) appears to be on a collision
course, you should climb because their instinct is to dive.

At least once, I've had a large bird try to scare me by coming toward
me and spreading its wings. Beautiful, but pretty scary. They always
dive once they're done demonstrating their prowess.