Editing Visual flight rules (section)

== Low flying rules in the EU==

In all [[European Union|EU]] member states, the Standardised European Rules of the Air apply: these set out a minimum altitude of 150&nbsp;m (500&nbsp;ft) above any obstacle within a radius of 150&nbsp;m (500&nbsp;ft), except with permission, or when taking off or landing. If an aircraft is flying over a congested area (town, settlement, etc.) it must fly high enough so that in the case of an engine failure, it is able to land clear safely ''AND'' it must not fly less than 300&nbsp;m (1000&nbsp;ft) above the highest fixed object within 600 m of the aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32012R0923&from=EN|title=L_2012281EN.01000101.XML}}</ref>

Member states are allowed to modify the low flying rule to suit their jurisdiction, for instance in the UK, the "500&nbsp;ft Rule" allows pilots to fly below 500&nbsp;ft as long as they are no closer than 500&nbsp;ft to any person, vessel, vehicle, building or structure. 
The rules for flying near congested areas are the same in the UK as the rest of the EU<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2015/840/schedule/1/made| title = The Rules of the Air Regulations 2015}} </ref>