Hi, I'm Randy Rowles.
Unmanned aircraft systems or drones routinely operate in the National Airspace System.
With so many drones in use, it may be just a matter of time before you, as a helicopter
pilot, encounter one.
Let's discuss this on the FAA’s Rotorcraft Collective.
A 2019 study by the Volpe National Transportation System Center quantifies just how hard it
is to see quadcopter drones.
Working with control tower operators, researchers discovered that only 26% of time did controller
spotted drone above the airfield.
They also overestimated the drone’s altitude, and more times than not, they erred in a drones
orientation to a nearby manned aircraft.
Add to this the fact that helicopters are moving and may be a nearby drone, and the
conclusion becomes apparent.
Spotting a drone for a pilot flying is highly unlikely.
Drone operators may not realize our helicopters regularly operate in the same environments
as their drones.
And inflight collision with a drone could lead to a loss of control or pilot incapacitation
resulting in disastrous consequences.
Even if the drone operator understands the risks, seeing and avoiding a manned aircraft
may be problematic.
Take for instance, when a drone operator recently flew his drone along the edge of a remote
Alaskan Lake.
The terrain behind him sharply rose so that he neither saw nor heard the inbound tour
helicopter until it was too late for him to respond.
The main rotor of the descending helicopter struck and destroyed the drone without disrupting
the helicopters flight.
The helicopter pilot never saw the drone.
Replacing the damage main rotor blade of the helicopter cost in the tens of thousands of
dollars.
Another rotorcraft flying over a Florida beach barely missed a hovering drone.
Both were at legal altitudes.
The video shot by the drone shows how close the two aircraft came.
Factoring in the potential dangers of an inflight collision with a drone, helicopter pilots
must include these considerations to help protect their aircraft and passengers.
First, except that we are now sharing the airspace with drones.
Become familiar with drone regulations, but realize that some operators might not be in
total compliance with the regulations.
Avoid, or at least be extra vigilant, in areas that would be attractive for videography or
photography, such as skylines or coastlines.
When a drone operator is flying a mission, he or she may not have their full attention
on collision avoidance with manned aircraft.
Fly at higher altitudes knowing that most drone operators are typically filming things
on or near the ground.
While the rules specify drone operations to stay at or below 400 feet above terrain, or
400 feet above and beside an object such as a tower for building, you may encounter a
drone at any altitude.
For helicopters supporting rescue efforts or news gathering, you could unknowingly be
sharing the skies with drones on a similar mission.
Drones are increasingly being used by first responders to help with rescue efforts.
Realize that seeing and avoiding drones can be extremely difficult.
Avoidance is the responsibility of the drone operator, but he or she may not hear or see
the aircraft in time to avoid a collision.
Never assume that the person flying the drone has your helicopter or even their own drone
in sight.
Many drone pilots when losing sight of their aircraft will activate the return-to-home
feature.
Once activated, the drone may be autonomous, having no ability to sense and avoid another
aircraft, increasing the risk of a collision.
Wear head and face protection, such as a helmet.
Should a drone come through your windscreen, wearing a helmet with a visor may offer you
enough protection to continue to fly the aircraft.
One more thing, remember crew resource management.
If you have other crew members or passengers you feel would be helpful and looking for
drones or other traffic, use them.
From a see-and-avoid aspect, helicopter pilots are at a profound disadvantage.
Applying a few, well-thought-out strategies can help you out of the drone danger zone.
For the FAA Safety Team and the U.S. Helicopter Safety Team, I'm Randy Rowles.