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KTNV Las Vegas, Nevada | 13 Action News | Channel 13 ABC |
ABC 13 - Drone scare near Las Vegas Strip prompts FAA investigation into likely safety violations
Posted: 11:58 PM, Nov 29, 2018 -
Updated: 2018-11-30 08:12:20Z
"LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a reported drone sighting which prompted a warning to several tour helicopters flying above the Las Vegas Strip.
Air traffic control radio transmissions reveal a tour helicopter pilot noticed the drone flying approximately 500 feet below his aircraft around 7:00 p.m., Tuesday.
The area is heavily congested with traffic on I-15 and tour helicopters use the same corridor above I-15 to land at McCarran International Airport.
The controller in the McCarran tower immediately asks the pilot additional questions, according to radio transmissions.
"It is very concerning to me as a pilot and as a drone pilot," said Dr. Chris Walach, the Director of the FAA-designated NV UAS test site.
Dr. Walach says whoever flew the drone was likely violating a number of rules in highly restricted airspace.
"There is approximately a 1 mile around the McCarran airport that's considered a no-fly area," said Dr. Walach.
"It doesn't matter if you request permission as a drone pilot, you are not going to be allowed that close to the end of the runway and particularly right off the Las Vegas Strip," added Dr. Walach.
A spokesperson for the FAA confirms there is an active investigation into the incident but could not provide additional details.
"I think what goes through any pilots mind, at a point like that, you want to make sure it's not coming after you especially in a helicopter where you have rotor blades that you don't want impacted," said ABC News Aviation Expert Lt. Colonel John Nance.
Nance says if the operator is found they could face stiff penalties.
Drones have come under fire before in Nevada, as recently as this year , when an airliner came dangerously close to a drone while on final approach to McCarran.
Experts say it is estimated drones violate airspace rules and regulations once every 7 hours across the United States.
A Maverick helicopter spokesperson declined to speak about the drone sighting."
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I would not want any drone to hit the tail rotor of a helicopter whether I was flying it or on the ground below it.
KTNV Las Vegas, Nevada | 13 Action News | Channel 13 ABC |
ABC 13 - Drone scare near Las Vegas Strip prompts FAA investigation into likely safety violations
Posted: 11:58 PM, Nov 29, 2018 -
Updated: 2018-11-30 08:12:20Z
"LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a reported drone sighting which prompted a warning to several tour helicopters flying above the Las Vegas Strip.
Air traffic control radio transmissions reveal a tour helicopter pilot noticed the drone flying approximately 500 feet below his aircraft around 7:00 p.m., Tuesday.
Maverick 38: "[Las Vegas] Tower, be advised, they're flying a drone right below me over the freeway between Aria and Panorama Towers"
The area is heavily congested with traffic on I-15 and tour helicopters use the same corridor above I-15 to land at McCarran International Airport.
The controller in the McCarran tower immediately asks the pilot additional questions, according to radio transmissions.
Las Vegas Tower: "You said how far it was below you?" Maverick 38: "If I had to guess, I would say 500 feet."
"It is very concerning to me as a pilot and as a drone pilot," said Dr. Chris Walach, the Director of the FAA-designated NV UAS test site.
Dr. Walach says whoever flew the drone was likely violating a number of rules in highly restricted airspace.
"There is approximately a 1 mile around the McCarran airport that's considered a no-fly area," said Dr. Walach.
"It doesn't matter if you request permission as a drone pilot, you are not going to be allowed that close to the end of the runway and particularly right off the Las Vegas Strip," added Dr. Walach.
A spokesperson for the FAA confirms there is an active investigation into the incident but could not provide additional details.
"I think what goes through any pilots mind, at a point like that, you want to make sure it's not coming after you especially in a helicopter where you have rotor blades that you don't want impacted," said ABC News Aviation Expert Lt. Colonel John Nance.
Nance says if the operator is found they could face stiff penalties.
Drones have come under fire before in Nevada, as recently as this year , when an airliner came dangerously close to a drone while on final approach to McCarran.
Experts say it is estimated drones violate airspace rules and regulations once every 7 hours across the United States.
A Maverick helicopter spokesperson declined to speak about the drone sighting."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I would not want any drone to hit the tail rotor of a helicopter whether I was flying it or on the ground below it.
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