Collision évitée de peu entre un hélicoptère et un drone

samedi 18 août 2018

Collision évitée de peu entre un hélicoptère Bell 407 et un drone DJI Mavic Pro Platinum, la 16 août 2018 - Photo Massih Persian Cette vidéo a été tournée par Massih Persian avec un Mavic Pro Platinum de DJI.
On y voit un hélicoptère Bell 407 arriver au loin et passer à quelques mètres seulement sous le drone. La scène se passe au-dessus du front de mer à Fort Lauderdale, en Floride, à hauteur de Hollywood Beach (non loin du Westin diplomat Hotel).
Le pilote du drone assure qu’il se trouvait à moins de 400 pieds... Source

On Aug 16, 2018, a small Unmanned Aircraft System was involved in a near miss with a Bell 407 helicopter flying in Hollywood, FL. In a video shot by the drone camera and posted to YouTube, the helicopter is seen passing just feet beneath the drone. The operator, Masih Persian posted, “Enjoying an afternoon flight with my drone around Hollywood Beach, FL. A private helicopter flew right into my drone. I guess I got lucky that day nothing has happened. Phewww.” The FAA is currently investigating the incident.

The consequences of a mid-air collision need no explanation. Ways to mitigate future incidents such as this, however, require further discussion. The first question is : what level of training, if any, does the UAS pilot have ? Drones are often thought of as toys, but it is easy to see in the picture that a ‘toy’ could easily cause an aviation disaster. Masih Persian is not listed in the FAA’s Airmen Inquiry page as holding any aviation certificates. Due to the abundance of highly trafficked airspace in south Florida, it is safe to say that, without any formal training, a novice operator would be lost in the complexity.

Over the span of 55 miles of coastline between Miami and Pompano Beach, there are 7 high traffic airports consisting of Class B, C, and D intertwined airspaces beginning at the surface. Using a Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system facility map, it appears the flight was conducted in a 400 ft authorization box. If  Prise de vue par drone (DJI Mavic Pro Platinum) face au Westin Diplomat Hotel (hauteur : 444 pieds) - Photo Massih Persianthis was indeed the location of the flight, the pilot would have been required to file a request which requires a Part 107 certificate. Further, following the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (PL 112-95 Sect 336), you are required to follow a community-based set of safety guidelines. I assume the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) would definitely advise against flying in this congested area.

Many UAS pilots operate under the misconception that staying below 400 feet is the safe zone, which Mr. Persian said he was. This case exemplifies the shortcomings of that thought process. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, it is clear to see that the helicopter would have been flying at less than that. If the flight was conducted 500 yards to the south, it could have been legal, and Mr. Persian would still have been faced with the same near miss scenario. A thorough study of the area before takeoff is essential to the safe conduct of a flight. Source

Un message, un commentaire ?

modération a priori

Attention, votre message n’apparaîtra qu’après avoir été relu et approuvé.

Qui êtes-vous ?
Ajoutez votre commentaire ici

Ce champ accepte les raccourcis SPIP {{gras}} {italique} -*liste [texte->url] <quote> <code> et le code HTML <q> <del> <ins>. Pour créer des paragraphes, laissez simplement des lignes vides.