A common procedure in flight training is the low approach: simulating a landing, but without actually making contact with the ground before powering up and either going around in the traffic pattern or executing a missed approach procedure, sometimes after flying all the way down to an approach's minimums. Another example of a low approach is a runway inspection or recon pass.
Training for missed approaches and going around are important for basic skills, they are performed very frequently, and are actually required training for a pilot license. However, the regulations make no exceptions for these examples.
For a maneuver where a pilot descends below what the FARs permit, is there legal guidance that makes this OK near a runway?
What makes them legally permissible when you consider FAR 91.119?
FAR 91.119
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
Training for missed approaches and going around are important for basic skills, they are performed very frequently, and are actually required training for a pilot license. However, the regulations make no exceptions for these examples.
For a maneuver where a pilot descends below what the FARs permit, is there legal guidance that makes this OK near a runway?
What makes them legally permissible when you consider FAR 91.119?
FAR 91.119
Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:
(a) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface.
(b) Over congested areas. Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open air assembly of persons, an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft.
(c) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of 500 feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure.
