Legality of doing stunts?

RJM22

Hi all,

I have no links to aviation accept for I live very close to an airfield in Newcastle in Co. Wicklow.

Today some smuck has been doing stunts - a stall in a vertical climb right above the airfield and he did a barrell role right above my house. Both times were very low altitude.

I just think whoever's doing this is a douche because its so damn loud and I can't see how this is safe when the airfield is 15m away from the train tracks and a beach that was quite busy today.

I'm not usually the bitter type but I'm wondering who governs these kind of things?

Many thanks

highlydebased

the IAA -Irish Aviation Authority.

Aerobatics are not "illegal". But generally flight is not permitted over built up areas below 3000 feet, 700-1000 feet in rural areas.

You were in very little danger to be honest but if you wish to make a complaint contact the IAA.

ronnie3585

Neon-Circles wrote: »

But generally flight is not permitted over built up areas below 3000 feet, 700-1000 feet in rural areas.

Ah...no.

Legal minimums are 1,500ft agl in a built up area and 500ft outside of that.

Newcastle is in Class G or uncontrolled airspace, so the legal minimum is 500ft.

There is nothing illegal about aeros.

You or the schools or the hospitals or the busses or the trains or the kids were never in any danger.

January

Was the at about 12.30 this morning? Seen a jet line that looked vertical in the sky... didn't think it could be possible at all... Thought I was seeing things.

highlydebased

I stand corrected xD

Steyr

OP some Display Pilots are also Authorised to go down to 50FT AGL. But i cannot be certain if this was a display area where your offender was/is.

Tenger

ronnie3585 wrote: »

There is nothing illegal about aeros.

You or the schools or the hospitals or the busses or the trains or the kids were never in any danger.

Probably a guy practising/learning his aerobatics.

I think the danger level is dependant on the skill/experience of the pilot in command along with the maintenace level of the aircraft. While I'm sure the OP wasn't in 'danger' at the time you can't say there was NO danger.

Just look at the list of airshow crashes/collisions

ronnie3585

Tenger wrote: »

While I'm sure the OP wasn't in 'danger' at the time you can't say there was NO danger.

Just look at the list of airshow crashes/collisions

The same could be said for public highways. The OP was probably in more danger from the nearest road.

Just look at the list of crashes/collisions on the roads.

Flyer1

100% legal, and a lot of fun too

Why might it not be safe to be doing these manouveres at the airfield ? Look at Red Bull Air Racing which happens in the middle of London city. Maybe pop up to the lads and have a chat about it, i'm sure they'd be more than willing to explain how safe it is and you might even get the chance to go up and do some aerobatics yourself

fabbydabby

Ara there's no sense annoying the neighbours at the same time though in fairneess is there? Not everyone is as appreciative of skilled piloting as you!

What was stopping the pilot practicing over an unpopulated area, or at a safer (i.e. higher) altitude?

Flyer1

If you take the time to look there aren't really that many houses around Newcastle Airfield. It really is quite hard to find an area where you won't annoy anyone (ie no houses at all), you must appreciate that. No matter where or how high you go you will still be making noise.

mikedragon32

Flyer1 wrote: »

If you take the time to look there aren't really that many houses around Newcastle Airfield. It really is quite hard to find an area where you won't annoy anyone (ie no houses at all), you must appreciate that. No matter where or how high you go you will still be making noise.

But there is a very big unpopulated sea just a little to the east...

While I appreciate that the pilots here understand the dangers and feel safe about such activities, you must admit that to those under the flightpath (if that's the proper word to use for such activities) don't feel safe and are entitle to be a little upset about it!

ronnie3585

The reality is that the safest place to do aeros is directly overhead an airfield. In the event of an engine failure it would give you a fighting chance of making it back to the field.

It is very difficult to balance this safety aspect with not annoying the nimby neighbours that are around Newcastle.

Flyer1

mikedragon32 wrote: »

But there is a very big unpopulated sea just a little to the east...

While I appreciate that the pilots here understand the dangers and feel safe about such activities, you must admit that to those under the flightpath (if that's the proper word to use for such activities) don't feel safe and are entitle to be a little upset about it!

mike, know what you are saying here but unfortunately it is not that easy. Sure it makes sense to go out to sea but for practising aerobatics but in reality it's rather quite difficult. Basically when practising manouveres, a pilot needs straight line features such as a runway or a railway in order to keep his manouveres precise and safe. Out to sea there are no straight line features which can serve this purpose.

The other factor which is much larger is the matter of the pilot becoming disorientated. This is a huge safety concern. On a hazy day the sky and sea can often appear as one blur to a pilot. This effect worsens when you are pulling high G forces and rotating quickly around the sky. The other problem has been mentioned which is engine failure.

trad

Can't help but notice the increase in light aircraft along coastal south co Dublin lately. Is there an increase in the number of light aircraft based at Newcastle or are they just taking advantage of the late summer? Glad to see it happening over this side.

Flyer1

Good weather trad Some days you've just gotta pull the plane out of the hangar.

Newcastle is also a fantastic destination, they have put so much work in to bringing it where it is today. Long may it last