Don't Be Alarmed to See A Low Flying Airplane for the Next Few Months
Posted: May 22, 2009 09:50 AM
Updated: May 22, 2009 09:50 AM
http://www.kionrightnow.com/global/story.asp?s=10409930&ClientType=Printable
CENTRAL COAST, CALIF- Residents should not be alarmed to witness a low-flying airplane over parts of the west-central California Coast, part of the Los Padres National Forest, and an area east of Greenfield starting around May 22.
For about two months, an airplane operated under contract to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will be making low-level flights over the west-central coast from just south of Carmel covering Big Sur and part of the Los Padres National Forest. Additional flights will be made in an area east of Soledad and Greenfield extending to Panoche. The survey will cover the cities of Big Sur, Soledad, Greenfield, and numerous other towns in the area with the purpose of collecting and recording geologic measurements.
Anyone observing the low-flying plane should not be alarmed when they see it fly over or pass below the horizon. The airplane is operated by experienced pilots who are specially trained for low-level flying.
This survey is designed to remotely study geologic and hydrologic units that lie below land surface. It is part of an ongoing USGS program to identify features such as changes in rock types, ultimately providing a better understanding of the geology and hydrology of the area.
The airplane is operated by Firefly Aviation of Calgary, Canada, which is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to ensure flights are in accordance with U.S. law.