It sounded like the person was somewhat of a newcomer to the aviation 
area, and I tried to keep it to generalities. The whole picture of being 
the pilot of an aircraft is a whole lot of detail, and controlling the 
aircraft is just a small part. :)

Vitaliy wrote:
> Carl Denk wrote:
>   
>> I should have included. Minimum safe altitude over congested areas
>> (cities) and gatherings of people is 1000' AGL, and 500' other areas,
>> except some national parks can be higher.
>>     
>
> It's actually "above the highest obstacle" or "structure", not AGL.
>
>   
True
>   
>> The congested has been
>> interpreted as to include some little towns at times. Besides 1000' AGL
>> isn't a lot of time if there is an engine or propeller failure. With no
>> power many light planes will decend at more than 500 fpm, which means
>> less than 2 minutes.
>>     
>
> However, in those two minutes you can cover 2-4 miles. The way I understand 
> it, the regulations are designed to minimize destruction on the ground by 
> giving you enough time to select either a suitable runway, or a crash 
> target.
>   
Agreed
There have been pilots cited for being under the 1000' passing over 
small towns that are only a mile or 2 wide. It's mostly up to the 
inspector investigating, and who called the F.A.A.
>
>   
>> Grand Canyon has a minimum altitude that can be
>> over 10,000' altitude. Maximum altitude, over 12,500' need oxygen, over
>> 18,000' need air traffic control clearance, be IFR rated plane and pilot.
>>     
>
> Do you have a link to these regs?
>   
Airspace diagram
http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/airspace.htm
FAR 91.135  operations in class A airspace

For Grand Canyon, my 3 year old visual (sectional) chart says "CODE OF 
FEDERAL REGULATIONS (CFR)  ... below 18,000 (above is class A)  MSL is 
subject ot special traffic rules. The are special Grand Canyon visual 
charts, and the pilot always wants to have the current issue as 
reference. What I remember, we need oxygen at the lowest legal 
altitude.Also see
FAR SFAR No. 50-2

Oxygen
FAR 91.211



> Vitaliy 
>
>   
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