Quote:
Originally Posted by KNS
It might help, it might not. A pilot at least might have an innate sense of where other aircraft might be operating.
My reply was really aimed at the height (400' above the ground) at which drones may be operating. That's right smack-dab at the altitude you'll find a lot of helicopters.
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The key is that the UAS will be within line of sight, generally operating in a fixed area on auto-pilot, a hugely accurate auto-pilot flying a per-programmed route. The rules also require an observer in addition to the pilot.
I guaranteed you they'll hear you (99% of the current commercial fixed and rotary wing UAS are electric) and will take control of the UAS and react accordingly.
The helo's (I am a helicopter pilot) need to stay at 500agl and above. Problem solved.
I managed all Navy and Marine Corps UAS for five years at the height of the WOT. UAS and manned aircraft flew hundreds of thousands of hours in the same airspace with two incidents, neither fatal.
I would be much more worried about Joe Cessna who flyies 10 hours a month than I would be about small UAS making a living at 400agl and below. The statistics prove it.