I have heard that it's legal to land on riverbanks & lake shores in washington, as long as you're above the high-water mark (something about navigable waterways), but I don't know how much truth there is to that. I've also heard that it's illegal to land on any beach in washington, other than Copalis Beach State Airport. Any law enforcement or legal types amongst us who can cite the applicable RCW or ordinance?
I landed at Copalis yesterday & then flew down the coast to Ocean Shores- kinda pissed me off to see all the cars driving on the beaches, when all we get is one ittle beach less than a mile long (sectional sez 4500'). I'm sure we make less of an environmental impact than a car, and we poop a lot less on the beach than all the horses I saw there too.

I totally agree with you, especially about the pooping.
There are several places that allow all kinds of OHV and other cars on beach but no landings. We are and off road vehicle aren't we? I've thought of landing and hanging out just to have that argument but figured I'd lose something more than 30 min of my time.

This is one of those things when most cops probably can't come up with just what odinance you are violating, but they just KNOW that it's illegal. Like any off-airport landing that's within sight of a road... somebody's bound to call 911 on their cellphone and pretty shortly you'd have a cop there trying to cite you-- whether it's actually illegal or not.
It'd be nice to know just what the law actually has to say about it. (then we can figure out a way to bend that law......)

About six months ago I was coming home from Burbank and the wind was pretty good out of the north when I got home. Had to come in on 34L . That means I have to do short final over county road A-12 that is pretty busy. Usually clear the power lines by about 25 feet so to some I am quite low to the ground.

Well here I come over the road and a car stops to see what is up. I land and the gal in the car calls 911 to report a crashed plane. I know my landing leave a lot to be desired but to call it a crash, I mean really

Tipsy thought it was just another landing.

Tim

hotrod150 wrote:This is one of those things that most cops probably can't come up with just what odinance you are violating, but they just KNOW that it's illegal. Like any off-airport landing that's within sight of a road-... somebody's bound to call 911 on their cellphone and pretty shortly you'd have a cop there trying to cite you-- whether it's actually illegal or not.
It'd be nice to know just what the law actually has to say about it. (then we can figure out a way to bend that law......)

Ok your assigned the task of finding the real answer and reporting back.

I have found the Police to be most delightful to deal with. Do you suppose my FD ID has anything to do with that? or am I just that sweet?

Good Day

I've got the same question out there on another site- one of the regulars there is an attorney who handles "aviation law" ( now we have our own law!!!)- I'm hoping he'll do (or has already done) the research for us.