Quote:
Originally Posted by Seahawk
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.
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Of all the commercial operators I've worked for, nearly all of them have 300' AGL written as a minimum altitude outlined in their Operations Specifications.
Do I go flying around at 300 ft? No, not necessarily. But every time we land off airport (scene calls), which is often, we descend below 300'. This may be in a residential or suburban environment. This might be an area where we would encounter a UAV with no prior notification of it being in the area.
You'll have to get all the commercial helicopter operators to reexamine their Ops Specs so everyone can play together.