Never fly with Flying Crocodile in Costa Rica - you might die

Here is a copy of a letter I sent out to the owners of the local ultralight business, with copies to the local and international aviation authorities.

http://www.flying-crocodile.com/

Flying Crocodile

Correo Playa Samara Codico 5235, Apdo. 99 Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Dear Sir:

On Saturday May 1, 2010 at about 16:30 hours, I observed your Tamarindo based helicopter-type aircraft flying over the beach directly overhead from my position 50 feet from the shore at an altitude of about 30 feet. (10 Meters)

Your pilot made two passes over the beach at this level and it was close enough that I felt the propeller wash.

The surf break over which you buzzed was full of surfers – I observed about 45 surfers in the water and 100 people on the beach.

This is extremely dangerous behaviour, and you are endangering people’s lives should you lose control of the aircraft.

I note the following from the FAA, whose safety standards are generally recognised globally:

FAR-91:

·         Over Congested Areas - Shall maintain an altitude of 1,000’ above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of 2,000’ of the aircraft.

·         Min. 500’ AGL over non-congested areas (except over open water or sparsely populated areas).

·         Anywhere - Should maintain an altitude such that if the engine fails, an emergency landing may be executed w/o undue hazard to persons or property on the surface

There is no way you could have maintained your altitude without endangering lives in the water or on the beach.

Furthermore, the noise pollution was unnecessary and generally not enjoyed by those of us who live here and are your neighbours.

I strongly urge you to not fly with reckless disregard to international safety protocols before a tragedy befalls us all and you kill someone.

Regards,

Patrick