Congested Areas and You

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PFGiardino

Well-Known Member
I searched and didn't find any threads on this. If one already exists, by all means, torch this one. Anyways-- I was trying to find out exactly what a congested area is, in reference to .119, and this was a good find on the Google. I thought I'd share.

Basically, the FAA considers it on a case by case basis. Something to think about on those "emergency landings without power"...

http://footflyer.com/PPGBibleUpdates/Chapter08/congested.htm
 
It is case by case. Most people will just use the yellow shaded areas on their sectional to indicate what is congested or not. The safe thing to do is just stay 1000ft above everything and you wont have an issue.
 
from
Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). (2006, March 31). AOPA ePilot (flight training ed.), 6 (13).

Question: What is the FAA's definition of a congested area?

Answer: This question often comes up when trying to determine the minimum safe altitude for operating an aircraft. In FAR 91.119, a "congested area" is defined as a city, town, settlement, or open-air assembly of persons. According to a Letter of Interpretation from FAA legal counsel, there is no standard definition for a congested area, but case law has indicated that a subdivision of homes and a small rural town constitute one. Because it has been interpreted loosely, consider an area congested if you are in doubt.
 
Pilot Hopeful said:
Congested
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Personally, I find it outrageous that you can declare something to be illegal without defining what that something is. If engineers wrote the law, you wouldn't have that sort of problem. In fact, we'd build "law compilers" that would complain about undefined variables or circular logic.
 
+ several.

I teach that the yellow on the sectional is what the lighting looks like at night, and had another CFI tell me it was the border of congested areas.

After learning this, I wish that were the case. Anywhere I've ever practiced an engine out could potentially be a congested area. I guess I'm sticking with grass fields from now on. Excellent. :rolleyes:

On a related note: Does a decomissioned airfield assume the surrounding "congested area" status, rendering it useless for emergency practice? I would assume so.
 
tgrayson said:
Personally, I find it outrageous that you can declare something to be illegal without defining what that something is. If engineers wrote the law, you wouldn't have that sort of problem. In fact, we'd build "law compilers" that would complain about undefined variables or circular logic.
Click to expand...


I completely agree with that. For the record I teach the yellow stuff on the Chart, but you do have to be careful
 
ADM, airmenship(sp), and common sense. If you can't land the airplane without hitting something or someone consider it congested and you shouldn't be below a thousand feet in the first place.
 
First hand, just saw this case to case bs. Almost got a buddy of mine in a lot of trouble. As Maurus said just stay 1000ft above everything unless landing.
 
Agree that its case by case. I wish they would define it as Blizz said...anywhere you can't land in an emergency w/o hitting or nearly hitting a building should be considered congested. Of course that would lead to more debate as the amount of real estate needed varies w/ aircraft and pilot skill.

The case where a subdivision was considered congested just baffles me. Of course that particular area is congested, but is/was it a large enough area that a power off glide to a suitable area couldn't be made? There are plenty of highways around here that have houses crammed in on both sides, but nothing but open fields or forests behind them. Is the strip of highway considered congested and must I climb to 1000' when crossing that 500' wide strip of "congestion"? :dunno:

The yellow areas on a sectional are only defined as Populated Places - Large Cities Category 1 and Cities and Large Towns Category 2. I've not been able to find what a Category 1 or 2 city means.
 
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