aerobatics over airport

[SS427]

Since when is it legal to fly aerobatics over a commercial airport when the airspace is not closed? We sat and watched this T28 fly loops, rolls and buzz the field for over 15 minutes at SPI Capital Airport today. There was a small commercial puddle jumper taxing and a twin turboprop business plane take off while he was doing this. This T28 is based here. Go figure....

[SS427]

Another

[Bill Pritchard]

I know nothing about rules & regulations of flying, but I can't begin to imagine that that is anywhere close to acceptable.

[Ngtflyr]

He is a dumbass:


Sec. 91.303 — Aerobatic flight.
No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight—

(a) Over any congested area of a city, town, or settlement;

(b) Over an open air assembly of persons;

(c) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport;

(d) Within 4 nautical miles of the center line of any Federal airway;

(e) Below an altitude of 1,500 feet above the surface; or

(f) When flight visibility is less than 3 statute miles.

For the purposes of this section, aerobatic flight means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration, not necessary for normal flight.

[Ngtflyr]

In fact I would report him and send the pics/video to the FAA

Contact FAA

1-866-TELL-FAA


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Report specific violations (Hazardous Materials).
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[SS427]

Well, he accomplisbed failing all the rules but (f) as it was a clear day. This was also a National Guard base (in the process of being moved) and there is a manned tower so there must have been a reason he was allowed to do this but I cannot imagine what that was. Fun to watch but just a little concerning.

[SS427]

I did some checking and turns out there was in fact a reasonable explanation though one I had never encountered before. Turns out he is part of an aerobatic team and owns the T-28B. He has a waiver from the FAA and an aerobatic box over the SPI airport to practice in. He is legal to do aerobatics inside the box with the towers permission as he is part of a T-28 aerobatic airshow team. They have a website: www.trojanhorsemen.com I am just surprised with all the agricultural land around this airport that they would not have him practice in that area instead. Learn something every day.

[427TJ]

Since he'll perform over the runway then he wants to practice over the runway, hence the FAA waiver. Get his reference points located so as to keep the routine timely and entertaining.

[SS427]

As soon as I heard he was part of that team that is exactly what I thought. Strange how there were still airplanes taxing around and taking off/landing while he was doing his practice. Fun to watch anyway. Gets interesting when the other two P51's, Corsair and T28 are all in the air at the same time as they are all based here. Two of the three owners are customers and working on getting the third.

[SS427]

Here is what one of the Mustang owners drives when he's not flying one!

2nd photo is the other P51 that is based here. He has a whole warehouse full of exotic cars.