Where does the NAS end?

Center_Mid

Center_Mid

Well-Known Member
Does the U.S. national airspace system end somewhere over the ocean? What I mean is, does the FAA's jurisdiction, or whatever you call it, cease once you fly 10 or 20 or 200 miles from shore? This question is more about GA than the airlines. For example, do US cloud clearance rules apply to VFR flight 500 miles out? Could you fly 10 feet above the ocean at Vmax if you wanted to? Could you drop objects from your plane or do other wacky stuff that would get you violated if you did them over land?

Or do all U.S.-registered planes "carry" the FARs with them when out over the ocean? Rest assured I have no plans to fly out to the open ocean and dropping stuff. I was just wondering.
 
I know that out the aleutians you can fly VFR up in the flight levels because you're past the adiz. I think there's a FAR that says if you're in an N#d airplane outside the states, you have to fly by our rules, but I am too lazy to look right now.
 
I'm extremely rusty but I thought it was something like 12 miles off coast, maybe?

Also, as far as I know you can fly 10 feet off the ground as long as you're not over a populated area or within 500 ft of persons/property/structure (91.119).

Additionally you can drop things from the aircraft as long as you don't create a "hazard to persons or property." (91.15)
 
I'm an oceanic atc'er and I can tell you that no you can not fly VFR over the water unless you are below 2,500ft, (or 5,500ft in a few spots). All altitudes over the water are "Flight Levels" (29.92). Amd anything above the 2,500ft is IFR only. The only exception is military. If you start flying around out there then you'll probably have Huntress (military that watches ALL the planes off the coast and will send fighters after you if they don't know who you are) after you.

In case you wanted to know the US controls traffic out to 45N045w/18N040w. And it's controlled by ZNY.
 
bippoptl said:
I'm an oceanic atc'er and I can tell you that no you can not fly VFR over the water unless you are below 2,500ft, (or 5,500ft in a few spots). All altitudes over the water are "Flight Levels" (29.92). Amd anything above the 2,500ft is IFR only. The only exception is military. If you start flying around out there then you'll probably have Huntress (military that watches ALL the planes off the coast and will send fighters after you if they don't know who you are) after you.

In case you wanted to know the US controls traffic out to 45N045w/18N040w. And it's controlled by ZNY.
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Thanks for the replies. There seems to be a minor gray area there. What about civilian ship-borne aircraft, like helicopters or UAVs? Are they operating in the NAS/FIR if they're below 2,500 feet? And what if they're out beyond the ADIZ?
 
Center_Mid said:
Thanks for the replies. There seems to be a minor gray area there. What about civilian ship-borne aircraft, like helicopters or UAVs? Are they operating in the NAS/FIR if they're below 2,500 feet? And what if they're out beyond the ADIZ?
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You are still in the NAS system if you are at, or below 2,500 ft. Your just vfr. But you would have to get passed the ADIZ just off the coast. Giant Killer (military that's owns the east coast warning areas) won't like you out in their airspace
 
It also depends on what part of the coast you're off of. I work in Florida, and most of the time, Sea Lord won't really appreciate you being in their airspace, and they own to the waves, and usually up to FL 430. So, in other words, watch out for the warning areas.
 
AnImbroglio said:
It also depends on what part of the coast you're off of. I work in Florida, and most of the time, Sea Lord won't really appreciate you being in their airspace, and they own to the waves, and usually up to FL 430. So, in other words, watch out for the warning areas.
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Where in FL?
 
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