MINIMUM FLIGHT ALTITUDES

The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) was given exclusive authority by Congress to regulate aircraft in flight. Cities and states have no authority to do so. The FAA issues Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) which are the only laws that govern aviation in the United States. Some of the FARs applicable to our airport are:

• The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft. (FAR 91.3)
• When it is in operation, the FAA Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) controls all flights below 2,600 feet above sea level and within 5 miles of the airport. (FAR 91.123)
• The minimum altitude over "congested" areas (the city) is 1,000 above the ground, except for take-off and landing. (FAR 91.119)
• Helicopters are exempt from minimum altitude restrictions and are required to remain clear of the flow of fixed-wing traffic. Helicopters fly at 500 feet above ground level (AGL) near the airport and in the traffic pattern so as not to conflict with fixed-wing traffic pattern at 1,000 feet AGL. (FAR 91.119)
• Fixed-wing aircraft arriving or departing the airport may be below 1,000 feet AGL. (FAR 91.119)
• Pilots, under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), must maintain the FAA-required clearance from clouds (2,000 feet horizontally, 1,000 feet above, and 500 feet below), and may be required to deviate from "typical" flight routes to do so. (FAR 91.155)
• Aircraft may use either the north or south traffic pattern for take-offs and landings as directed by the control tower. (FAR 91.129).

The Torrance Airport was constructed in the early 1940s and has been in continuous operation since then. From the start, the airport has used a standard left turn traffic pattern for takeoffs to the west.