Author: Admin

  • Important News: FAA Proposes Penalty Against BSU Flight School

    The FAA has proposed an $88,108 civil penalty against Bridgewater State University’s flight program. The government alleges the school failed to keep vital training records—such as student attendance, flight training data, and instructor qualifications—including missing documentation that the assistant chief instructor completed required training.

    While this enforcement action doesn’t specifically address low-altitude flying, it highlights serious issues within the flight school’s operations. It raises red flags about oversight and safety practices.

    All the more reason for us to continue holding them to account.

  • August 7th: 400ft Joyride Over Mishaum Point Road

    August 7th: 400ft Joyride Over Mishaum Point Road

    Today, the Cessna N760BW, operated by BSU flight school, was documented flying as low as 400 feet above ground level over residential homes along Mishaum Point Road on its way out to Martha’s Vineyard.

    View the flight track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n760bw#3ba0699b

    Why this matters:

    • Mishaum Point Road is a residential area where families live, walk, and gather.
    • Flying at 400 feet AGL over neighborhoods and public trail areas is not just a disturbance—it directly violates legal safety standards intended to protect our community.
  • August 4th: Low pass over Main Rd Shops in Westport

    August 4th: Low pass over Main Rd Shops in Westport

    Today, N760BW, associated with BSU flight training operations, flew as low as 800 feet above shops and businesses on Westport’s Main Road. That’s well below what the FAA considers safe when flying over populated areas.

    See the flight track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n760bw#3b93bc0e

    Why This Matters:

    • Public safety risk: At 800 feet AGL, there’s little room to react if something goes wrong.
    • Main Road, lined with businesses and pedestrian activity, clearly falls under “populated areas,” triggering the stricter 1,000-foot rule.
    • Community impact: Low flights over a busy commercial district can disrupt local business, stress residents, and erode quality of life.
    • Pattern of concern: Another incident in a growing pattern of low-altitude flights across Dartmouth and Westport.
  • August 4th: Dangerous circles over campers at Horseneck Beach

    August 4th: Dangerous circles over campers at Horseneck Beach

    Earlier today, aircraft N760BW was tracked flying as low as 800 feet above ground level over Horseneck Beach, where campers and beachgoers were present. That’s below what the FAA deems safe for flying over populated or recreational areas.

    View the track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n760bw#3b927aa3

    Why This Matters

    • Over crowded areas like beaches, neighborhoods, or parks: Planes must stay at least 1,000 feet above the highest nearby obstacle (this includes buildings, trees, or dunes)
    • Campers and beachgoers expect peace and safety—not loud, disruptive buzzes from low-flying planes.

  • August 4th: BSU Aircraft Takes 400ft Tour of Horseneck Rd

    August 4th: BSU Aircraft Takes 400ft Tour of Horseneck Rd

    Today, a small training aircraft — N721SA (BSU again)— flew dangerously low over Horseneck Road, getting down to just 400 feet above the ground. That’s well below what the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) says is safe for flying over neighborhoods like ours.

    View the flight track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n721sa#3b93e3ec

    Why This Matters

    • It’s dangerous. At that low height, pilots have almost no time to react if something goes wrong.
    • It’s disruptive. These flights are loud, unsettling, and shake up our peaceful neighborhoods.
    • It’s happening too often. This isn’t the first time — low flights are becoming a regular issue in Dartmouth and Westport.
  • 27th July: BSU Flight took a low-altitude tour along Smith Neck Road

    27th July: BSU Flight took a low-altitude tour along Smith Neck Road

    Aircraft N829BW — a Cessna 172R commonly used by BSU for flight training – was observed flying at a dangerously low altitude of only 600 feet above Smith Neck Road and the neighboring DNRT Smith Neck Farm trails. This area is busy and frequented by residents and visitors enjoying the scenic farm trails, clearly qualifying it as a populated area under FAA standards.

    See the track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n829bw#3b738902

    Why This Matters:

    • FAA Regulation 14 CFR § 91.119 requires aircraft to maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest nearby obstacle when flying over congested or populated areas such as residential roads or recreation trails.
  • July 21st: BSU Aircraft plummets to only 400ft above Barney’s Joy

    July 21st: BSU Aircraft plummets to only 400ft above Barney’s Joy

    Residents report that today, a Cessna 172R registered as N715BW — linked to Bridgewater State University — descended to just 400 feet above ground level over the Barney’s Joy area, a clearly populated zone. This altitude is well below the 1,000-foot minimum required by FAA regulation 14 CFR §91.119(b) when flying over congregated or developed areas.

    See the track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n715bw#3b5b7f72

    Why this matters:

    • A mere 400 feet AGL is dangerously low, especially over homes, open gathering spots, and local roads.
    • This isn’t a momentary glitch—it adds to a growing pattern of unsafe, low-altitude flights over Dartmouth and Westport, where people live, work, and recreate.
    • FAA rules are clear: flights over populated areas must stay at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstruction within 2,000 feet.

    Such reckless operation not only violates federal safety standards—it places individuals and property in harm’s way. Residents expect accountability and strict enforcement of these safety regulations.

  • 27th June: Dangerously low figure 8 over Mishaum Point

    27th June: Dangerously low figure 8 over Mishaum Point

    Today, a Cessna 172 N780SA — connected with BSU — was documented flying at a dangerously low altitude of only 600 feet above Mishaum Point. That’s well below the 1,000‑foot minimum required when flying over populated or developed areas – guess they didn’t see the houses there…

    To add to the concern, the aircraft made several low passes over Round Hill Beach, a regularly crowded public area. This isn’t just unsettling—it’s against FAA safety rules.

    Flight track: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n780sa#3aff534b

    Why this matters:

    • FAA Regulation 14 CFR § 91.119(b) requires aircraft to maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle within a 2,000-foot horizontal radius when flying over populated areas such as towns, beaches, or neighborhoods.
    • Flying at 600 feet over Mishaum Point or buzzing Round Hill Beach is not only disruptive; it is a clear violation of federal safety standards.
  • June 16th: BSU Aircraft circles at 800ft over Horseneck Beach

    June 16th: BSU Aircraft circles at 800ft over Horseneck Beach

    Residents of the South Coast: today a Cessna 172R registered as N574BW — associated with the BSU flight school — was observed repeatedly passing at very low altitude above Horseneck Beach, a clearly populated area used by families, swimmers, and walkers.

    See the track here: https://www.flightradar24.com/data/aircraft/n574bw#3ad42231

    Why this matters:

    Repeated low passes—especially over a beach crowded with the public—fall outside any takeoff or landing exception and suggest reckless disregard for safety.

    • 14 CFR § 91.119(b) requires aircraft to maintain at least 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle when flying over populated areas like Horseneck Beach.
    • Horseneck Beach counts as a “populated area” due to the consistent presence of people, buildings, and facilities, triggering the protective altitude requirement.