“Do we not have air rights, at least to a reasonable height, over our own property”
No the FAA owns the air space all of it from a single foot above the surface. They choose to enforce different heights at different locations.
Most residential area’s are going to be class G FAA airspace which is “unregulated” during VFR meteorological conditions. Class G extends to 1200 feet AGL most places.
FAA FAR regs prohibit other than for takeoff or landing operating an aircraft other than a helicopter closer than 1,000 feet over congested areas versus 500 feet over other than congested areas. Helicopters are exempt from these rules but cannot be a danger to people or property on the ground. This applies to every aircraft subject to 14 CFR Part 91 commercial is under a different CFR.
Anything that can fly and weighs more than 254lb empty fits faster than 55kn and has more than 5 gal of fuel or it’s equivalent and carries more than on person is under 14.91 as does any practical helo and any powered lift regardless of mass.
Ultralights fall under FAR-103 and must be under 254lbs and slower than 55 knots max speed plus helos and all powered lift such as this are excluded by statue.
To operate any helo or powered lift you must hold a valid PPL and have helo cert or a vtol cert at least until 2026 then new regs kick in and you need at least a sport light licence plus a powered lift vtol endorsement for under 250 knots top speed and two people on board. Any more than 2 and you need a full PPL with class 3 med cert.
People get all worked up for a nothingburger, the FAA has already created a licence class for these they are never going to let how sixpack fly one without a FAA licence again right now you need a full PPL plus VTOL rating, and if you want to fly at in weather then a full IMC rating too. That’s $20,000 in PIC flight time, sims and ground schools.
These will be millionaire status symbols and only for those healthy enough to pass a class 3 med cert. Don’t have hypertension, epilepsy or colorblind or clinically morbidly obese or have vision that is not corrected to 20/20 with glasses or lenses.
You can’t hold an IMC rating with a Sport level licence , you also cannot fly at night without a night rating under the sport light and that also means a class 3 medical cert. By the time you do all that just solo and get your real PPL and then do the IMC for night and weather certs.
Your question is no you don’t own the air above your home and unless you hold the mineral rights you don’t own the ground under it someone could use a TBM abs bore a tunnel right under as long as they do not cause any structural damages from ground shifting or vibrations. The USA is way down the list for actual property rights, freedoms too. Don’t pay your property taxes you will learn very quickly who actually owns your home and the land it sits on.
Exactly. The required knowledge of rules in the air, education, licensing, and regulation would be absolutely staggering.
Thanks. There’s a FReeper to answer everything.