It all depends on altitude. If a plane is high enough, it can glide to the nearest airport or field and usually land safely. If the plane is taking off and it's very low, it could simply land on the runway below. Other situations can be better or worse. It is always a risk, especially for the occupants of the aircraft. But pilots train for this contingency. Simulated "engine-outs" are conducted in basic training and are also part of the FAA pilot flight exam. In a rural area, there are usually places, such a open fields and little-used roads, for a plane to make an emergency landing without endangering anyone on the ground. Still, no one wants this to happen. The major goal of aircraft design and pilot training is to prevent these emergencies.

As it happens, the most common cause of an engine-out is running out of fuel. This is entirely the fault of the pilot. On the other hand, total engine failures caused by mechanical problems are very rare.

How low can a plane legally fly?

The FAA has rules about flying over populated areas. Except when approaching or departing an airport, a plane may not fly lower than 1000 ft over a populated area. Elsewhere, a plane may not fly within 500 ft of any person or building or vessel. Since there are buildings and persons in the area surrounding Gnoss Field, this basically means that any pilot who flies an aircraft lower than 500 ft AGL, except during takeoff/landing, is violating Federal law.

If you see an aircraft flying below this legal altitude or in any other hazardous manner, you should try to get a good look at it. Note whether it's a high-wing (wings above the cabin) or low-wing, number of engines, and color. If you can record the tail number (begins with "N", painted on the tail or fuselage), the FAA can use that information to trace the owner of the plane.

From the ground, how can I tell if a plane is below 500 ft AGL?

This is not so easy, even for people with aviation experience. A 50-story building is about 500 ft high. If you watch aircraft turning onto final approach (about a half-mile or so from the runway), they might be at about 500 ft.

What good are small local airports—why doesn't everyone just use big airports?

Airports, big and small, have been a traditional part of many American communities for almost 100 years. Aviation itself is a big part of our country's history.

In the early years, airplanes landed at circular air fields, always into the wind (there were no fixed runways). As commercial use of airplanes grew, runways were established according to the prevailing winds, and many of them were paved. Hangars and customer waiting areas were built.

The term "General Aviation" came into use. It means non-airline use of aircraft. It's like the distinction between a private automobile and a city bus. Most airports, even today, are dedicated to general aviation (GA).

Many cities and towns built their own airports to encourage tourism and business -- and to enjoy the status of having an airport. Today there are over 5,000 public airports in the U.S., including 253 in California (plus many private air strips). Airlines use about 18 percent of these airports. The rest, over 80 percent, are used only by GA.

Most small airports support themselves financially through hangar leases, taxes, fuel sales, and sometimes with landing and parking fees.

Many non-pilots (or former pilots) take an avid interest in aircraft and aviation. Local airports have air shows, museums, exhibits, and other features of interest to the community.

Even so, for a majority of any small city's population, its airport is of little obvious consequence. Probably most people forget it's there, unless they happen to travel by it. But the airport's immediate neighbors are directly affected by it, on a daily basis, in the form of noise. Some love it and some hate it, depending on whether they like airplanes. Most airports pre-date the housing development that currently surrounds them, and in any case most residents have moved in after the airport was built. So those people have made a choice. Nevertheless, it is incumbent on pilots and the airport management to reduce the effect of airport noise as much as possible. This is not simply a benefit to neighbors who might complain, it is the right thing to do environmentally and the right way to be part of the community.

Don't small planes waste a lot fuel?

It's true that most small planes are less efficient (in miles per gallon) than the average car. But the fuel consumed by all US and Canadian propeller aircraft in one year is less than a single day's consumption by US cars and trucks.

Accuracy of above information is not guaranteed.
Do not use for navigation of aircraft.
Consult official FAA sources for latest information.

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