CESSNA 172 FLT INSTRUCTOR; WITH COMMERCIAL PLT TRAINEE; DROPS LEAFLETS OVER RESIDENTIAL AREA RESULTING IN POLICE MEETING ACFT UPON LNDG.

Narrative

A STUDENT OF MINE WAS ASKED BY ANOTHER CFI INVOLVED IN WEDDING PREPARATIONS TO DROP LEAFLETS DURING THE EVENT. MY STUDENT HOLDS SMEL -- INST. WE LOOKED AT THE FAR'S WHICH WOULD APPEAR TO ALLOW THIS ACTION; PROVIDED NOTHING WAS DROPPED THAT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE. THE BRIDE'S FATHER ASKED PERMISSION FROM THE CONDO COMPLEX; WHERE THE WEDDING WAS BEING HELD; AND ARRANGED FOR CLEAN UP. MY ADVICE WAS EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMED TO BE AN ODD IDEA TO ME; IT SEEMED TO BE LEGAL. THIS LOCATION WAS ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN. THE FLT PATH DURING THIS OP INVOLVED SEVERAL CIRCLES OVER A 4 LANE HWY; GOLF COURSE; SMALL LAKE; AND SHOPPING CENTERS. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS FITS WITHIN THE MEANING OF CONGESTED AREA. AFTER THE EVENT; HE RETURNED TO HIS HOME FIELD (LAL) AND WAS MET BY LCL POLICE WHO CLAIMED HE HAD VIOLATED; AN FAR THAT PROHIBITED HIM FROM DROPPING ANYTHING FROM AN AIRPLANE. THERE WAS NO MENTION OR ANY CONCERN OVER HIS ALT WHICH I BELIEVE WAS LEGAL. AFTER 9/TUE/02; EVENTS OF THIS TYPE CAN EASILY TO LEAD TO ALARMING THE PUBLIC. BUT; FRIVOLOUS OR NOT; THIS EVENT SEEMS NO MORE HARMFUL TO ME THAN SENDING UP A MYRIAD OF GAS FILLED BALLOONS. HAVE I ADVISED MY STUDENT SOMEHOW TO BREAK A LAW? CALLBACK CONVERSATION WITH RPTR REVEALED THE FOLLOWING INFO: RPTR COMMENTED THAT THE POLICE OFFICER STATED THAT HE WAS RPTING THIS INCIDENT TO THE FAA FSDO OFFICE. THE RPTR HAS NOT HEARD FURTHER REGARDING THIS INCIDENT FROM ANYONE. HE DID DISCUSS THIS MATTER WITH HIS NATIONAL PLT ORGANIZATION AND WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT THE FSDO PRIOR TO MAKING LEAFLET DROPS IN THE FUTURE. HE WAS COUNSELED TO REGISTER HIS LEAFLET DROPPING PLAN WITH THE LCL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE; AS WELL AS THE FAA FSDO; IN ORDER TO HELP ANSWER PUBLIC COMPLAINTS AND OPERATIONAL QUESTIONS.