What is the minimum altitude for a flyby of a ATC tower?

What is the minimum altitude for a flyby of a ATC tower?

• A. 300 AGL
• B. 500 AGL
• C. 1000 AGL
• D. 2000 AGL

Answer: (B)

When you’re doing a flyby past an ATC tower, you’re aiming for a pass that keeps you safely clear of surrounding structures and ground operations while still being close enough for the controller to observe and coordinate with you. Setting a minimum altitude helps ensure that safety margin. Five hundred feet AGL is chosen because it provides a practical buffer above common airport structures and ground equipment, giving you room to maneuver, while still maintaining a close enough proximity for the tower to monitor the aircraft and maintain situational awareness. Going lower, like 300 AGL, could put you at risk of rooftop or obstacle interference; going higher, such as 1000 or 2000 AGL, removes the intentional proximity that defines a flyby and defeats the purpose of the maneuver.

When you’re doing a flyby past an ATC tower, you’re aiming for a pass that keeps you safely clear of surrounding structures and ground operations while still being close enough for the controller to observe and coordinate with you. Setting a minimum altitude helps ensure that safety margin.

Five hundred feet AGL is chosen because it provides a practical buffer above common airport structures and ground equipment, giving you room to maneuver, while still maintaining a close enough proximity for the tower to monitor the aircraft and maintain situational awareness. Going lower, like 300 AGL, could put you at risk of rooftop or obstacle interference; going higher, such as 1000 or 2000 AGL, removes the intentional proximity that defines a flyby and defeats the purpose of the maneuver.