CAA asks that GNZ reminds their members of the VFR minimum height requirements when operating near a congested area of a city, town, or settlement if you are not landing or taking-off.
In this area the minimum height is 1000 ft above the surface if the city, town or settlement is within 600m radius of the aircraft’s position as per 91.311(a)(1), as the dispensation provided by 104.59(1) is only applicable to 91.311(a)(2) i.e. away from congested areas of a city, town, or settlement.
The Rules
The “low flying rule”, CAR 91.311(a), provides as follows:
(a) A pilot-in-command of an aircraft must not operate the aircraft under
VFR—
(1) over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any
open air assembly of persons at a height of less than 1000 feet
above the surface or any obstacle that is within a horizontal radius
of 600 metres from the point immediately below the aircraft; or
104.59 Minimum height
Notwithstanding rule 91.311(a)(2), the pilot of a glider may operate the
glider below a height of 500 feet above the surface—
(1) for ridge soaring, if the flight does not create a hazard to a
person or property on the ground; or
