AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2018 - 94

P&E

TECHNIQUE

The last flight to glory
Spreading ashes from aircraft takes care and planning
BY DENNIS K. JOHNSON

THERE'S A SCENE IN THE MOVIE The Big
Lebowski in which Walter Sobchak, portrayed by John Goodman, stands on an
oceanfront cliff with Jeff "The Dude"
Lebowski and gives a heartfelt, rambling
eulogy for his departed friend, Donny. Then,
as Walter shakes Donny's ashes from a Chock
full o'Nuts coffee can, the ocean breeze whips
them upward and all over The Dude.
This scene illustrates the problem of
respectfully spreading ashes when there's
a breeze. Similar problems can occur when
pilots attempt to disperse ashes from an
airplane into a slipstream. Spreading the
ashes of a loved one from the air can be a
meaningful and honorable experience, but
successfully doing so requires planning.
RULES AND REGS

94 | AOPA PILOT May 2018

find your state's regulations online.
Spreading ashes at your local airport
should be simple: Just notify the management beforehand, walk out to a nice grassy
spot, avoiding any moving aircraft, and
sprinkle away. As on any private property,
get permission from the owner (airport
manager) first. And, no one should walk
around an airport unless there's a pilot
along who knows the hazards. If it's a
municipal airport you should discuss the
dispersal with the management to agree
on an appropriate and safe spot on the airport grounds-if it's even allowed. That may
depend on how busy the airport is, the number of people attending the dispersal, and
how cooperative the manager is.
If the surviving relatives request an aerial dispersal, then more planning will be
involved. The federal aviation regulations
do not prohibit dropping items from an airplane, including ashes. FAR 91.15, Dropping
Objects, says that no pilot in command of

EVA VASQUEZ

I imagine many pilots would wish to have
their ashes spread over a favorite backcountry landing site, a scenic lake, or local airport.
But, these locations have restrictions.

If that backwoods landing spot is on
federally controlled public land, you're
required to get permission from the controlling authority. That may be the National
Park Service, Bureau of Land Management,
or some other agency.
If your chosen site is a lake, river, or
ocean, you must follow the regulations of
the Environmental Protection Agency. Under
the Clean Water Act, to scatter ashes at sea,
boats and airplanes must be at least three
nautical miles from shore. Only biodegradable items-such as the ashes, flowers, and
natural wreaths-are permitted in the ocean.
You're also required to submit a completed
Burial at Sea Reporting Form within 30 days.
Local regulations also may apply when
scattering ashes on inland rivers and lakes,
and you may be required to obtain a permit
from whichever agency manages that body
of water. Check with your local government.
Every state has some sort of board of
funeral directing, and you may be able to

AOPA Pilot Magazine - May 2018

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