XC below 3,000 AGL

[Spinwmts]

Hi all, I'd like other pilots advice on the following:

The other day I was on a short XC with some pretty bad TB (shocker in the spring) at the cruising altitude I had picked which was 5,500 ASL. However, I found that at 2500 AGL the sailing was much smoother. So with only 50 NM to go, regular calls on 126.7 and checking the VNC to ensure obstacle clearance, I decided to continue at this relatively low cruising altitude .

So I'm just wondering what your thoughts are about cruising on a XC at the lower altitudes than 3,000 AGL where the hemispheric rule does not apply? My major concern is traffic avoidance as the rule is not in effect so traffic can be coming and going at all direction.

[Cessna 180]

At my previous gig, we did 1000nm in a day at 300agl or lower. You'll be okay at that altitude. There's no obstacles save for mountains and rising terrain at 2500agl. Keep your eyes open for traffic. Radio calls and cruising altitude orders aren't going to save you from that anyways.

[Zaibatsu]

Perfectly fine. I used to do even thousands below IFR safe altitudes

Just don’t make a position report or you’ll have puppy mill pendants telling you that you’re at the wrong altitude (even though cruising orders don’t apply below 3000 AGL).

[SR22]

In those circumstances I'll often fly at 2,300 or 2,800 to avoid those that feel they have to be at 2,500

[Skyhunter]

Flew from Kingston to Moose Jaw at 250' once. Climbed to circuit Altitude to land in YAM and YQT for gas. Look outside and don't hit shit.

[lownslow]

Apart from the risk of hitting stuff (minimal if you use your eyeballs) the other thing about a low cruising altitude is that it will restrict your options if the engine quits. Don’t get me wrong, I often go places at 500agl or less, just be aware of that before you do it yourself.

[PilotDAR]

I've flown my second plane more than 500 hours, and on several thousand mile XC's. I've only had it once to 5000 feet in all those years.

To best avoid traffic, watch where you're going! In an airport environment, listen lots, and broadcast at the required positions. Asking someone to report on 126.7 because you think that they could be in conflict with you ties up radio time, preventing the communications 126.7 is intended for. I get bored listening to all the location chatter on 126.7, so I don't have that frequency tuned, unless I need to call FS, or it's otherwise required. I just watch where I'm going. Flight Service once told me that "VFR" stands for visual flight rules, not vocal flight rules.

[Schooner69A]

"...not vocal flight rules..."

I like that. I think I'll add that to my snarky response to the "conflicting traffic..." mutts.

[Chris M]

In those circumstances I'll often fly at 2,300 or 2,800 to avoid those that feel they have to be at 2,500

Likewise. People love even 500's for some reason so I usually aim right between them when I'm flying at lower altitudes unless I have a reason otherwise.

[youhavecontrol]

It's fine and a lot of fun as long as you know the risks:
-less options/time during emergency
-more difficult to navigate visually
-greater risk of bird strikes
-noise complaints (depending on where you live)
-obstacle clearance (obviously)
-poor nav aid/radar/radio reception at times (especially emergencies)

Also, remember to pay attention to the rules regarding overflying other aerodromes, parks, farms and wildlife sanctuaries.

[Heliian]

Aside from not ploughing through zones at the wrong altitude, watch out for us low level people in helicopters and float planes. We live down low.

[Spinwmts]

Thanks e1 for the input and perspective. I agree keep those eyes open is rule one (regardless of altitude)... So much more to see at the low altitudes as well.

[7ECA]

Look outside and don't hit shit.

Good advice for any altitude.

As an aside, you're often safe in the Lower Mainland flying in the "devil's triangle" between Blunder Bay - Schitt Meadows - Abbyford, if you fly at 2,500'. Lots of schools have scared their students about the dangers of busting terminal airspace, so they seem to mostly fly lower than 2,500.

[gwagen]

Look outside and don't hit shit.

Good advice for any altitude.

As an aside, you're often safe in the Lower Mainland flying in the "devil's triangle" between Blunder Bay - Schitt Meadows - Stabbotsford, if you fly at 2,500'. Lots of schools have scared their students about the dangers of busting terminal airspace, so they seem to mostly fly lower than 2,500.

fixed it for you^^^^^

[oldtimer]

Once did Empress Alberta to the Messina NY border crossing south of Ottawa @ 100 ft. and 110 knots in a Cheyenne and it was a hoot. Did it in two legs. Empress to Marathon on day one then high level to Ottawa for the night. Next day from the Messina border to Marathon. Our company was chartered by a pipeline builder to fly the pipeline route so they could bid on a new line being considered. Had a video camera pointed out a side window. Only problem was when we busted through the Southport ( Portage La Prairie) control zone without clearance but when we advised them we were following the pipeline, they were OK with that because an Aztec used to fly the route on a regular basis. My co-pilot had a problem wrapping his tongue around Petawawa but they cleared us through at our low altitude. That was all good until my co-pilot noticed the howitzers all lined up on the right side of a field so then I pointed out the targets the howitzers were pointed at on the left side. We, by the way, informed TC and they were OK with this one time only flight because we had a definite useful purpose.

[JasonE]

I often fly a J3 below 3000 feet cross country! Sometimes without a radio even It depends on the machine, and circumstance. Yesterday I flew a Comanche cruising at 8500 feet.

[Cessna 180]

Once did Empress Alberta to the Messina NY border crossing south of Ottawa @ 100 ft. and 110 knots in a Cheyenne and it was a hoot. Did it in two legs. Empress to Marathon on day one then high level to Ottawa for the night. Next day from the Messina border to Marathon. Our company was chartered by a pipeline builder to fly the pipeline route so they could bid on a new line being considered. Had a video camera pointed out a side window. Only problem was when we busted through the Southport ( Portage La Prairie) control zone without clearance but when we advised them we were following the pipeline, they were OK with that because an Aztec used to fly the route on a regular basis. My co-pilot had a problem wrapping his tongue around Petawawa but they cleared us through at our low altitude. That was all good until my co-pilot noticed the howitzers all lined up on the right side of a field so then I pointed out the targets the howitzers were pointed at on the left side. We, by the way, informed TC and they were OK with this one time only flight because we had a definite useful purpose.

hmm seems like the exact same pipeline I used to fly... the aztec was what the pipeline builder used to own before they contracted the inspections .

[Spinwmts]

Just Curious for these low level XC if you did file a flt plan, would you a give them an alt = 1000 agl and would they give you shit for using such a low altitude?

[Spokes]

Give altitude as VFR.

[Spinwmts]

Give altitude as VFR.

Thanks, just learned something