§ 1-4-10.1. Air traffic rules. (a) Negligent, careless, or reckless operation. No person may operate an aircraft in a negligent, careless, or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.

(b) Aerobatic flight. No person may operate an aircraft in aerobatic flight: (1) Over any congested or residential area of a city, town, or settlement; (2) Over an open-air assembly of persons; (3) Within the lateral boundaries of the surface areas of Class B, Class C, Class D, or Class E airspace designated for an airport, as defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations; (4) Within four (4) nautical miles of the center line of any federal airways; (5) Below an altitude of one thousand five hundred (1,500) feet above the surface; or (6) When flight visibility is less than three (3) statute miles. For the purposes of this section, "aerobatic flight" means an intentional maneuver involving an abrupt change in an aircraft's attitude, an abnormal attitude, or abnormal acceleration not necessary for normal flight.

(c) Minimum safe altitudes. Except when necessary for takeoff or landing, no person may operate an aircraft below the following altitudes:

(1) Anywhere. An altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface;

(2) Over a school, residential, or congested area. Over any congested or residential area of a city, town, or settlement, or over any open-air assembly of persons, an altitude of one thousand feet (1,000) feet above the highest obstacle within a horizontal radius of two thousand (2,000) feet of the aircraft;

(3) Over other than congested areas. An altitude of five hundred (500) feet above the surface, except over open water or sparsely populated areas. In those cases, the aircraft may not be operated closer than five hundred (500) feet to any person, vessel, vehicle, or structure;

(4) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraphs (2) or (3) of this subsection if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface. In addition, each person operating a helicopter shall comply with any routes or altitudes specifically prescribed for helicopters by the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

(d) Severability. If any provision of this section or the application of a provision shall for any reason, be judged invalid, that judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the section, but shall be confined in this effect to the provisions or application directly involved in the controversy giving rise to the judgment.

History of Section. (P.L. 2000, ch. 371, § 4.)