Aircraft Was Towing An Advertising Banner As Low As 500 Feet Over The Populated Area

Altitude rules for VFR flight in the U.K. are similar to those in the U.S., including a prohibition from flying below 1,000 feet over a populated area. That rule was reportedly ignored by a 23-year-old pilot towing a banner over a shopping area in Preston, Lancashire U.K., who admitted to flying low over the Guild Centre, the tallest building in Preston. He also was observed towing the banner at 500 feet over crowded streets in the area.

The Lancashire Evening Post reports that the pilot is Mark Penarski, and the incident occurred on January 15 in the afternoon. Civil Aviation Authorities said they tracked the flight on radar from Blackpool Airport. The radar track showed the airplane flying within 1,800 feet horizontally from the Guild Court and at an altitude of not less than 700 feet for about 40 minutes. However, the radar showed the aircraft at 500 feet at its lowest point during the flight.

The paper reports that Penarski pleaded guilty to breaking altitude rules and paid a fine equal to about $800 and court costs of about $1,900. While Penarski would not comment, his father said he had been "unfairly treated" by the court.

FMI: www.caa.co.uk