Take the Pledge to Fly the Coast >1,000 ft. High
More and more pilots are taking the pledge to fly the California coast above 1000’ AGL for safety and wildlife.
It’s a good practice! Be next & take the pledge now.
Jim Ricketts and John Ward
I’m a pilot,
and I pledge to:
☑ Fly the coast above 1000’ AGL for safety
☑ Give seabirds space to thrive
☑ Learn one easy trick to spot wildlife colonies (see below!)
The Numbers Speak
for Themselves
47%
of birdstrikes occur
under 1000’ AGL
97%
of wildlife disturbance is reduced
by flying over 1000’ AGL
Flying the coast above 1000’ AGL
keeps you safe
A majority of bird strikes happen below 1000’ AGL, according to the FAA’s Wildlife Strike Database – so flying high should reduce your risk. If trouble occurs, flying over 1000’ AGL will give you enough reaction time to plan a safe landing.
Give seabirds space to thrive
The California Coast is home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds that nest on cliffs and offshore rocks – including the common murres pictured here. Murres lay only one egg per year, and raise their chicks in the thick fog and harsh wind. Flying the coast over 1000’ AGL ensures that seabirds will have the space they need to thrive.
One easy trick to spot seabird colonies
White rocks = seabird flocks. Whenever you see rocks covered in white, you know that they are home to a large number nesting or roosting birds. Your charts can also tell you – look for the magenta dots that indicate NOAA Regulated Overflight Zones. These are hotspots for seabirds and marine mammals and should be flown above 1000’ AGL.
