FYI: It's already illegal to fly low over land with an aircraft

[Gravitycollapse]

1000 feet for congested areas
500 feet for non-congested areas.


http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/91.119

(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.

I think we can all relax. The temporary change either represents a 500 foot increase, nothing for aerial photography, or no difference at all with federal law.

[Cleita]

1. If that's true, do I have a right to demand that every aircraft

and helicopter who flies really low over my house stop? No, they are military! I have no right to demand that. I asked.

[Gravitycollapse]

2. Call the authorities if military aircraft are flying less than 1000 feet over your house.

Because that is almost certainly a violation of federal law.

[Cleita]

3. They are. The helis are so close I can see the guys flying them. n/t

[Gravitycollapse]

6. I'd call non-emergency police and ask who to call next.

Possibly starting with the FAA.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. You do not own the airspace over your property above 400'

That said, if you feel they are below 1000ft get a picture and report it to the FAA with the date and time. If its military and you can get the markings in your picture, calling the squadron commander is very effective too.

Unless you are near an airport/airbase, you can keep them above 1000 ft.

[Cleita]

8. Thanks. n/t

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. The military takes that kind of stuff quite seriously...if they are below 1000ft AGL

without a damn good reason, things will happen.

[Cleita]

11. They frighten the animals both domestic and wild particularly the hawks.

Part of the reason is that they have to fly over a hill so maybe they come closer than they should, but it's not a good reason IMHO.

[DBoon]

4. Recc'd for a dose of sanity

There are enough cases where corporations attempt to control media to their advantage. We should focus on the real ones.

[SidDithers]

5. Kick to counter the hair-on-fire brigade...nt

Sid

[ProgressiveProfessor]

9. That gives "official" choppers room to work without the added risk of tourists

and as others have posted, it is not really going to impact reporting or aerial photography.

However, it would behoove local pilots to be able to document where they were and what altitude. Remember the story about the glider pilot and the nuclear plant.