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4th of July Celebration from 2,000MSL

Fireworks View from Above

One of the greatest views a general aviation pilot can get is flying over a Fireworks Display.  It is a very unique way to view a very awesome event.   This was my second time doing this in my 18 years of flying.  

How to be successful at flying over a Fireworks Display

This kind of flying is a lot of fun, but can be more difficult than a normal flight.  You will be flying at night, over a large crowd, orbiting and there will be many other airplanes there with you.

1. First step is to always talk to a CFI and ensure you are prepared for and ready.  Your CFI's advice always supersedes anything I suggest to you.
2. Read any NOTAMS for the Fireworks display.  They will often contain special instructions and information such as how high the display will be.
3. Communicate with ATC.  Even if the display occurs in Class G or Class E airspace, insist on flight following so that ATC helps assign specific altitudes for each airplane.  For this display, it was actually inside Class C airspace and Austin Approach was very helpful to the three airplanes watching the display.  (Really, only 3 this year???  Last time I did it, there was 7!!!)
4. The Pilot in Command is NOT there to watch the show, that is what the passengers get to do.  Sure you will be able to catch a good view from time to time.  But as PIC, you are focused on keeping your assigned altitude, watching the other aircraft in the pattern, watching for hazards below and planning any outs you might need.
5. Plan you out.  What would you do if your engine quit while 1,500 AGL over a display like this?  In Austin the outs were very limited.  Sure the river looked good, but I know from past experience the river is packed with people on kayaks and small boats.   My plan if the engine quit was to aim for the river  in a section far away from the display and less likely to be crowed.  I would flash my landing light as much as I could to warn people to get out of the way.  For those of you who know Austin. My out was Town Lake East of IH35 or West of MoPac.
6. Watch your Airspeed.  There is no sense flying this at full cruise speed.  I throttled the PA-28-151 back to 2,000 rpm which gave me about 85kts indicated.  Also because we pay by the Tach hour and not hobbs hour,  this saved me money.  But as you are making your turns, you may get a very hard lesson in accelerated stalls.   Again your only job is to fly the airplane and not to watch the show.

Having said all of that, it is still an amazing experience that every pilot should try at least once.