Low-flying Helo

[gringorio]

The other day I went to the lower falls of Tanque Verve Wash in Tucson to catch some aerial video of the flooding caused by the left-overs of Hurricane Newton. The area I flew in was 14 miles from the nearest Airport (Davis-Monthan Air Force Base). My highest point above take-off was 138 feet. After completing most of what I wanted to capture I heard the helo approaching my airspace. As you'll see, in real time, I quickly zipped back to my take-off point and watched the helo fly over where I had just been flying. To my surprise, the helo looped back and flew over my location a second time at a slightly higher altitude, but still below my allowed 400' limit.

My take: 1) Pay attention and give way to real/manned aircraft, 2) Low-flying manned aircraft can show up where you least expect them to, and 3) Commercial/military aircraft to do not follow the 400' R/C recreational rule.

Here's a link to my edited video:

Here's a link to the *unedited* low-flying helo moments:

Here's my Healthy Drones info on the flight:
HealthyDrones.com - Innovative flight data analysis that matters

I welcome your thoughtful feedback...

gringorio

 

[Lifted Chevy]

It looked like they wanted to see that water so they gave it another pass. Now if they stop and observe you then I'd be worried.

 

[jofus]

Good job staying aware and yielding to manned aircraft. You did everything right, so no need to worry!

 

[CCrew]

You mean like this one just a few minutes ago in my neighborhood? He was at best 100' AGL. We thought he was trying to put down. Those trees are only about 35'

 

[Traveler]

Likewise this happen to me at the beach. Fortunately I was grounded and packing up when a coastguard helicopter flew in low and slow along the very same beach I had been flying at. Good awareness is critical and you did it right!


Sent from the Traveler from my iPad using PhantomPilots mobile app

 

[alokbhargava]

That's right, that's why LOS and keeping a watch on the sky is important when you fly. I have also faced such situations but I quickly lowered my bird to extremely safe heights.


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