Has anyone considered using a handheld VHF radio on aircraft bands to communicate with a low flying aircraft to prevent an issue? I can't think of many downsides to this.
I remember the video of a news crew near the scene of a fire or something complaining about the "drone" and trying to find it and being very condescending to what appeared to be the correct action by the operator. The last two major sailing events in Newport, RI banned UAVs (apparently) due to overly dramatic helicopter pilots' fear of crashing into one. I had a close encounter with what appeared to be a crop dusting helicopter shaving tree-tops in a state park running between cranberry bogs.
I would think these kinds of situations would have been better with some simple communication between both parties. A simple- hey you're flying way below 500 feet, i'm getting out of your way but descending takes time... let me know when you're done in the area so i can come back and do my thing.
I know that's an oversimplification, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. As far as i can tell, you don't need a license to operate an aircraft radio if it's used to aid in the safe operation of an aircraft domestically in the united states. The radios themselves are not that expensive and many are available in easy handheld form factors- presumably to use as backups units in small planes. I imagine most planes are tuned to the emergency frequency as well as whatever frequency they're using for other communication, so that would be the universal way to get their attention?
Does anyone have any experience on this or some thoughts?
I remember the video of a news crew near the scene of a fire or something complaining about the "drone" and trying to find it and being very condescending to what appeared to be the correct action by the operator. The last two major sailing events in Newport, RI banned UAVs (apparently) due to overly dramatic helicopter pilots' fear of crashing into one. I had a close encounter with what appeared to be a crop dusting helicopter shaving tree-tops in a state park running between cranberry bogs.
I would think these kinds of situations would have been better with some simple communication between both parties. A simple- hey you're flying way below 500 feet, i'm getting out of your way but descending takes time... let me know when you're done in the area so i can come back and do my thing.
I know that's an oversimplification, but it's not out of the realm of possibility. As far as i can tell, you don't need a license to operate an aircraft radio if it's used to aid in the safe operation of an aircraft domestically in the united states. The radios themselves are not that expensive and many are available in easy handheld form factors- presumably to use as backups units in small planes. I imagine most planes are tuned to the emergency frequency as well as whatever frequency they're using for other communication, so that would be the universal way to get their attention?
Does anyone have any experience on this or some thoughts?