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Flight on Galveston Bay
16 posts
Sterling SilverSeptember 15, 2016, 6:10pm
I flew over Smith Point, Texas, on the mainland side of Galveston Bay. As you will see, the mountains do not go to the sea (Gulf) in Texas, despite what the movies depict.

I flew over the "bay houses" of some relatives and some friends.

This is part of a 1.5 hr. flight. I will post some more segments later.


https://youtu.be/b-h9eLzi0SY
Bert
Arthur WithySeptember 15, 2016, 11:59pm
Nice scenery. Fantastic weather. nice filming.

what is the legal limit for low flying in the USA..?

An engine problem at that altitude would be a major issue for you....you would only have a few seconds if something went wrong.

regards Arthur
RicardoSeptember 16, 2016, 1:02am
I really enjoyed your video. Nice landscape. By the way, Do you wear a life vest? or maybe you're a good swimmer ,because if you have to ditch  I don't think the airbike will float as good as a Max  
Would like to see more! Thanks for sharing.
Sterling SilverSeptember 16, 2016, 5:01am
Quoted from Arthur Withy Nice scenery. Fantastic weather. nice filming.

what is the legal limit for low flying in the USA..?

An engine problem at that altitude would be a major issue for you....you would only have a few seconds if something went wrong.

regards Arthur


1000 ft. from persons or property, if I remember correctly, so actually too low over houses in this video.

Around 1968 my Dad and I landed on a pipeline right of way at this community, repaired the exhaust pipe on the Taylor Craft (sort of) and returned home.

The issue you raise is why I did not make a flight like this for the previous 2.5 years. The engine could still quit at any time, but I guess my risk tolerance is high.
Bert
Sterling SilverSeptember 16, 2016, 5:03am
Quoted from Ricardo I really enjoyed your video. Nice landscape. By the way, Do you wear a life vest? or maybe you're a good swimmer ,because if you have to ditch  I don't think the airbike will float as good as a Max  
Would like to see more! Thanks for sharing.


No, Ricardo, I don't think The Flag would float, but I am familiar with these waters, and if I could not touch bottom after ditching, I could stand on the plane and wait for help.  
Bert
texasbuzzardSeptember 16, 2016, 12:16pm
Bert looks like no feet on rudder pedals...?

monte
fiebichpvSeptember 17, 2016, 3:10am
Wonderful scenery, great video and very interesting houses on stilts. Must be a precaution against storms and high water.  How far from this area is your airfield?

Paul Fiebich
The TermiteSeptember 18, 2016, 1:49pm
Quoted from Sterling Silver 1000 ft. from persons or property, if I remember correctly, so actually too low over houses in this video.


From FAR 91:119
    1. Anywhere: an altitude allowing a safe emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the ground;
    2. Over Congested Areas: an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal distance of less than  2,000 feet;
    3. Over Populated Areas: an altitude of 500 feet AGL;
    4. Over Open Water or Sparsely Populated Areas: an altitude allowing for a linear distance greater than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure;
    5. Helicopters: If without hazard to persons or property on the surface, an altitude lower than in definitions 2, 3, and 4 above, provided in compliance with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the FAA.


Also,  there are  exceptions for landing, takeoffs, and a few other things such as crop dusting(aerial applicators).

#4 applies when I am flying low and slow over the farms around Cenla, or following the levees on the Red River.  I would say it applies in the video, because that looks like a "sparsely populated area". But you  are definitely less than than 500 ft "slant range" over some of those houses.


Bob HoskinsSeptember 18, 2016, 5:13pm
Hey Sterling
Thanks for posting the video. Beautiful area too. I always liked the shoreline. Mostly ocean, but Gulf Coast is OK too. Don't hesitate to post. It is what keeps everyone interested. Thanks again.
Bob
Fly safe and have fun.
Sterling SilverSeptember 21, 2016, 12:51am
Quoted from texasbuzzard Bert looks like no feet on rudder pedals...?

monte


There is no place to put one's feet except on the rudder pedals.

It's a Tandem AirBike (Air Bike, Air-Bike, whatever) and mine is flown from the back seat. All of the switches are above the rear wing attachment and a little forward, so they are not accessible from the front seat. The GoPro only picks up the front pedals.

If I had the correct attachment accessory I could rotate the camera to look straight ahead and the engine would not be in the picture. With what I have and with it mounted to the front strut at the wing attachment, the camera is turned slightly inward, so you see how it comes out.
Bert
Sterling SilverSeptember 21, 2016, 1:16am
Quoted from fiebichpv Wonderful scenery, great video and very interesting houses on stilts. Must be a precaution against storms and high water.  How far from this area is your airfield?

Paul Fiebich


Since Hurricane Ike, all new structures must be something like 18ft. above sea level. Pilings are the least expensive way to achieve that. Before that requirement, for the previous 50 years or so, most new "homes" were built on pilings, although not so high. The "fish camps" and old cabins were mostly on concrete blocks like other wood frame houses. Surprisingly, a few of those at Smith Point survived Ike.

The community that I flew over is about 55 miles from T78, Liberty Municipal, where I keep my plane right now. It is about 60 miles from my home, where I have a grass strip and no hangar, right now. On the way back, I stopped at Anahuac (An'-ah-wak) and refueled. I burn 100LL. I hope to edit and post the segment at Anahuac because there was a rain storm to the east and the rainbow might be visible. I haven't had time to check that.
Bert
Sterling SilverSeptember 21, 2016, 1:18am
Thanks to everyone for your compliments.

It was a beautiful day to fly.

Thanks termite for posting the reg.
Bert
Sterling SilverSeptember 21, 2016, 1:23am
By the way, it's about 15 miles straight across the bay to the Gulf of Mexico and some real beaches if I had not made those low turnarounds. Given the glide ratio of my plane, it would probably be faster to fly around the bay to the east instead of climbing to an altitude that would let me glide to shore if the engine stopped.
Bert
Arthur WithySeptember 21, 2016, 3:25am
Thanks Bert for the info. as Pilots we all do the "risk management" thing.

Im glad you had a great day out....

Im sure if I had of done it.... I would be getting a letter from  the sky cops.!!!! ( I have the tee shirt )

with a beach landing too...hmmm.

cheers Arthur
texasbuzzardSeptember 21, 2016, 11:41pm
Quoted from Sterling Silver

There is no place to put one's feet except on the rudder pedals.

It's a Tandem AirBike (Air Bike, Air-Bike, whatever) and mine is flown from the back seat. All of the switches are above the rear wing attachment and a little forward, so they are not accessible from the front seat. The GoPro only picks up the front pedals.

If I had the correct attachment accessory I could rotate the camera to look straight ahead and the engine would not be in the picture. With what I have and with it mounted to the front strut at the wing attachment, the camera is turned slightly inward, so you see how it comes out.


That makes it clear, I forgot it was a tandem. Thanks for the nice vids.

Monte
Sterling SilverSeptember 22, 2016, 2:37am
Quoted from Arthur Withy
with a beach landing too...hmmm.

cheers Arthur


I have some very good friends who have a house (on 18ft. pilings) on Crystal Beach, a subdivision on Bolivar Peninsula. That is the opposite shore of the bay over which I turned around. Their wide, sandy beach is on the Gulf of Mexico and it is very tempting to test the cops over there. My salvation might be a grass strip that I think is used by sky divers.

If there is a picture of me posted wearing stripes you'll know I chose the sand.  
Bert