Does a Low Flying Complaint Automatically Equal an FAA Violation?

Question: Does the FAA have a definition of what constitutes “careless or reckless operation?” In ground school we learned about a student pilot who was accused of [that] by someone who lives near the airport because he allegedly flew too low when he was coming in for a landing.

Answer: From your description this sounds like someone who doesn’t like airplanes more than a legitimate safety concern. However, the FAA is required to investigate all complaints.

• READ MORE: How to Interview a Flight School
• READ MORE: How Can I Teach Student Pilots to Give Better Informal PIREPs?

The regulation that mentions careless and reckless operation is cFAR 91.13, which states, “(a) Aircraft operations for the purpose of air navigation. No person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another; and (b) Aircraft operations other than for the purpose of air navigation. No person may operate an aircraft, other than for the purpose of air navigation, on any part of the surface of an airport used by aircraft for air commerce (including areas used by those aircraft for receiving or discharging persons or cargo), in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.”

Endanger is the key word here. If the student pilot was flying the published pattern at published and recommended altitudes, it is doubtful they were endangering anyone on the ground or being willfully careless or reckless. But to someone who is aviation impaired, an airplane on final at 600 feet agl may look dangerous.

Ask us anything you’ve ever wanted to know about aviation. Our experts in general aviation, flight training, aircraft, avionics, and more may attempt to answer in a future article. Email your questions here.