Do I own the airspace above my land?

The air space above your land is regulated by the federal government through the Federal Aviation Administration. Technically a helicopter may hover inches above your land, however it needs the owners permission to land. According to F.A.A. rules, helicopters are not held to minimum altitudes like an airplane, however it may not hover over an open assemblage of people or man made objects on the ground that, if in the event of an engine failure, it would pose a danger to persons or property on the ground.

you do not have any rights to the airspace above your property.. the government has all the rights. and no a helicopter shouldnt be able to hover 20 feet over your land, there is certain rules for what altitudes helicopters or planes can be at unless of course it's landing.

Well....it sounds like another Ruby Ridge in the making to me. There are several classifications of "airspace" controlled and UN-controlled all with very specific descriptions however you have to ask first what is this helicopter doing and if it is legal.....yes your local police and or the FAA can answer this. I would try to get a video of the operation to allow proper assessment. If it is a matter that you don't like it and want to retaliate I would think twice as any attack on an aircraft or interference with the flight thereof provoked or unprovoked is a federal offense.

Um...well, it depends what kind of helicopter. Teqnically you do not own the airspace, however, i'm not a helicopter pilot, so i'm not sure about their rules. I know airplanes can't be 500 feet from any person, boat, vehicle, or building. If it's in a city, it's 1000 feet.

Now, what i reccomend next time is to get the tail number of the aircraft. (ex. N123AB) and contact the local airport. Ask them for the number for the "FISDO". It's pronounced the way it looks. They'll know what it is. Or you can ask for the FAA district office number. Contact them, and report to them what happened. Explain that it wasn't noise you are complaining about, but escribe the situation.

Now, if that helicopter was in an emergency, or in some kind of trouble, they have priority.

LoL It sounds like we have a different understanding of his question... I think he was asking if it's ok if a helo he WANTS to be there can be there (All you guys that said to call police or file complaints are a bunch of grumpy grumps) ... In which case yeah there's nothing saying he can't except in

14CFR 91.119 (d) Helicopters. Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in paragraph (b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard to persons or property on the surface.

He could land on your land too, with your permission

are you growing stuff in your backyard? If not, it was probably just a rookie from flight school practicing his hover maneuvers. Or maybe the pilot had a small problem that required him to stop the heli.(if your water bottle or your flight maps fall on the cockpit floor, you don't bend down an reach for them while the heli is moving, that would lead to a probable crash), you have to hover and keep the heli steady the get what you dropped. Or maybe he liked your house and took photos of it

Airspace is for the government. 20 feet is awfully low especially if it is repeated, because that could be very dangerous should there be any mistakes, and mistakes are bound to happen.

You might want to report that to your local police department, and they would follow up themselves or report it to FAA and have the flying license revoked if it is repeated.

Good Luck

Hamada

I'll assume that the helicopter will have to maintain minimum altitude while flying, and can only go below that while landing. If you can, get the registration number of the offending helicopter and file a complaint with the FAA.

for example in our country the helicopter may land at the private land only with prior permission of the owner, with exeptance of medical evacuation, administration flight, law enforcement, and during a mission of defence of the homeland or NATO ally. those do not require the prior permission.

let your helicrews train, you might need their assistance medical or military one day.

Although sometimes you don't own mineral or oil rights to the ground you own, generally you own air above it to the limits of the atmosphere. BUT you also grant an easement for air traffic to use it without restriction. A helicopter could, if needed, land on your property.