If I had a plane that could take off and land in a short distance (eg., the SD-1 Minisport), do I have to use a recognized airport in order to land in the US? Or can I just land anywhere so long as it's class G airspace? FYI, this question is for non-emergencies. IE., if I just wanted to land there because it was convenient.
asked Jul 11, 2014 at 17:10 24.3k 39 39 gold badges 131 131 silver badges 230 230 bronze badges $\begingroup$ Just make sure you're not trespassing. :) $\endgroup$ Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 17:32Landowner's permission is always required. Then check the municipal zoning regulations and the like - city, state regs etc. Then your insurance company. If all these points come up green, go do it.
answered Jul 11, 2014 at 18:39 Skip Miller Skip Miller 10.3k 28 28 silver badges 53 53 bronze badges$\begingroup$ Note that (fixed-wing) insurance policies often forbid landing anywhere that is not designated as an airport (or seaplane base). You can still do it, but if something goes wrong the insurance company won't pay your claim. (You can get this restriction removed from most policies - it's just a matter of money. ) $\endgroup$
Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 18:49$\begingroup$ So, basically, there's no FAA regulations on it. But there may be other objections? $\endgroup$
Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 19:16$\begingroup$ No FAA prohibition that I know of. But if you damage your plane or property on the ground, you may be looking at a "careless and reckless" charge from the FAA. And yes there may well be other objections. $\endgroup$
Commented Jul 11, 2014 at 21:06 $\begingroup$You can land wherever you want as far as the aviation regulations are concerned. The airspace is irrelevant. You may, however, be breaking a range of different state laws. Generally speaking, the things to watch out for:
(1) Landing on private property without express permission is trespassing
(2) Landing anywhere a person would be likely to be may be reckless endangerment
(3) Landing in such a way that would cause an unnecessary emergency response can result in a charge for intentional or careless use of emergency services (you can avoid this by calling them ahead of time and telling them you do not need emergency services)
In general, you can land on any public land that is not a place someone else would be (like a road). If you land on a road without good reason, it could be construed as reckless.
In remote areas like Alaska landing off field is routine and occurs as a matter of course.
Pilots that fly in back woods areas and land off field all the time are called "bush pilots".