Low Level Flying

Intentional low flying is hazardous. Transport Canada advises pilots that low flying, especially for weather avoidance, is a high-risk activity. Before conducting any low flying, the pilot should be clear about the purpose and legality of the exercise. Accordingly, all preparations in terms of assessment of the terrain to be overflown, obstacles along the flight path, weather conditions, aircraft performance, and selection of appropriate charts are important for safe completion of the flight.

Normally, 300 ft AGL high objects or more (or lower ones if deemed hazardous) are depicted on visual navigational charts. However, because there is only limited knowledge over the erection of man-made objects, there can be no guarantee that all such structures are known. Also, an object which is known may not yet be included for the amendment cycle of the chart. Thus, an additional risk is added to the already hazardous practice of low flying. Furthermore, even though structures assessed as potential hazards to air navigation are required to be marked, including special high-intensity strobe lighting for all structures 500 ft AGL and higher, the majority of aircraft collisions with manmade structures occur at levels below 300 ft AGL. Low flying can imply a constrained situation in which it may be difficult to take the normal evasive action to widely avoid an obstacle.