- Joined
- Jun 22, 2017
- Messages
- 38
- Reactions
- 8
- Age
- 54
Ok, since we're all taking some hate from flying our drones, I wanted to shift the focus slightly towards Helicopter pilots, and how they need to stick to their altitude regulations just as we do.
I love flying my drone, and I do so happily within the legal frames of the places where I fly.
Where I live, in Norway, Helicopters are required to fly at a minimum altitude of 300m (about 1000ft) above ground. This goes hand in hand with the rules that drones and other remote controlled aircraft stay at or under 120m (~400ft) since that airspace should be clear of helicopters. Special helicopters, such as police, ambulance, firefighters, are exempt of this rule of course, whilst everyone else has to apply for, and register a NOTAM which basically blocks that airspace from everyone else.
Basically, if you see a helicopter closer than 300m above ground, you SHOULD be able to find it on a local register of temprarily blocked flight areas. If not, they're breaking the rules.
Having said that, I frequently see helicopers flying at lower altitudes than that, FAR lower. Just the other day, some idiot was hovering no more than 10m (~33ft) above the rooftops in my neighbourhood, way, way below his required altitude. The helicopter was not recognizeable as police/ambulance or firefighter, and checking the local NOTAM website, no exceptions for my area were registered there.
I immediately called the police, and also sent the helicopter's registration number to the Norwegian version of the FAA to report him. He probably got a decent sized fine.
I think helicopter pilots have been too used to breaking their altitude rule, since nothing other than an odd bird would be at risk to collide with them, but this changes with drone sales doubling from last year.
So, JUST as it is important for us to not go higher than 120m/400ft, it is AS important for helicopter pilots to stay above their designated minimum altitude.
Meanwhile, of course, if you're out flying your mavic, and hear anything that sounds like a helicopter, DESCEND immediately
I love flying my drone, and I do so happily within the legal frames of the places where I fly.
Where I live, in Norway, Helicopters are required to fly at a minimum altitude of 300m (about 1000ft) above ground. This goes hand in hand with the rules that drones and other remote controlled aircraft stay at or under 120m (~400ft) since that airspace should be clear of helicopters. Special helicopters, such as police, ambulance, firefighters, are exempt of this rule of course, whilst everyone else has to apply for, and register a NOTAM which basically blocks that airspace from everyone else.
Basically, if you see a helicopter closer than 300m above ground, you SHOULD be able to find it on a local register of temprarily blocked flight areas. If not, they're breaking the rules.
Having said that, I frequently see helicopers flying at lower altitudes than that, FAR lower. Just the other day, some idiot was hovering no more than 10m (~33ft) above the rooftops in my neighbourhood, way, way below his required altitude. The helicopter was not recognizeable as police/ambulance or firefighter, and checking the local NOTAM website, no exceptions for my area were registered there.
I immediately called the police, and also sent the helicopter's registration number to the Norwegian version of the FAA to report him. He probably got a decent sized fine.
I think helicopter pilots have been too used to breaking their altitude rule, since nothing other than an odd bird would be at risk to collide with them, but this changes with drone sales doubling from last year.
So, JUST as it is important for us to not go higher than 120m/400ft, it is AS important for helicopter pilots to stay above their designated minimum altitude.
Meanwhile, of course, if you're out flying your mavic, and hear anything that sounds like a helicopter, DESCEND immediately
