This is an update that stems from an incident that occurred almost 8 months ago.
August 3rd, 2019, I was flying my P4P at about 300 feet over a special event fundraiser attended by over 700 people.
This event was held on the shore of a river and there were many boats at a dock as well as anchored offshore.
This was a popular event and well attended.
The organizer had hired my drone company to take both still images as well as video of the event.
Prior to the event, I applied for, and received a Special Flight Operations Certificate(SFOC), enabling me to conduct drone flight operations over the property where the event was being held.
My SFOC gave me permission to fly between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm on the day in question......while maintaining an altitude below 400 feet.
While operating at about 300 feet(and taking still images), my spotter alerted me to the sudden presence of a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter that came over the trees to the North.
The Jet Ranger was suddenly there, leaving me with little or no time to react.
I quickly determined the helicopter was flying lower than my Phantom and my best option was to remain hovering in place.
On its first pass, the helicopter flew underneath my drone, clearing the Phantom by 100 feet.
Turning to the right, the pilot came around again for another pass directly over the crowd, but, fortunately this time, the Jet Ranger was higher and it cleared my Phantom by about 125 feet.
It then continued South and eventually disappeared.
I landed my Phantom without incident.
I reported this incident to Transport Canada with all details including a good description of the Jet Ranger.
Three days later, my spotter and I were interviewed by a Transport Canada investigator. The investigator had asked if we might do the interview at the scene of the incident.
This was done and it gave the investigator a real sense of what went on that day.
The investigator told us that if everyone was following the rules, then the incident should not have happened.
This case is very unique because usually all we hear about is a drone pilot doing something irresponsible and the manned aircraft being put at some risk.
The reverse is true here.
Sadly, Transport Canada has not publicly released its findings with respect to this case!
8 months have gone by!
Even in cases where major aircraft incidents have taken place, with multiple fatalities, Transport Canada, will release their Preliminary Findings within 10 days.
A Final Report may take a year or more.
When I called Transport Canada and asked about the status of their investigation in this matter, I was told they had a year to complete their report.
Ridiculous!
I promised this Forum that I would stay on top of this and I will.
When I have any new information, I will share it with you.
Safe and Responsible Flying, everybody!
Jim........
August 3rd, 2019, I was flying my P4P at about 300 feet over a special event fundraiser attended by over 700 people.
This event was held on the shore of a river and there were many boats at a dock as well as anchored offshore.
This was a popular event and well attended.
The organizer had hired my drone company to take both still images as well as video of the event.
Prior to the event, I applied for, and received a Special Flight Operations Certificate(SFOC), enabling me to conduct drone flight operations over the property where the event was being held.
My SFOC gave me permission to fly between 1:30 pm and 5:30 pm on the day in question......while maintaining an altitude below 400 feet.
While operating at about 300 feet(and taking still images), my spotter alerted me to the sudden presence of a Bell Jet Ranger helicopter that came over the trees to the North.
The Jet Ranger was suddenly there, leaving me with little or no time to react.
I quickly determined the helicopter was flying lower than my Phantom and my best option was to remain hovering in place.
On its first pass, the helicopter flew underneath my drone, clearing the Phantom by 100 feet.
Turning to the right, the pilot came around again for another pass directly over the crowd, but, fortunately this time, the Jet Ranger was higher and it cleared my Phantom by about 125 feet.
It then continued South and eventually disappeared.
I landed my Phantom without incident.
I reported this incident to Transport Canada with all details including a good description of the Jet Ranger.
Three days later, my spotter and I were interviewed by a Transport Canada investigator. The investigator had asked if we might do the interview at the scene of the incident.
This was done and it gave the investigator a real sense of what went on that day.
The investigator told us that if everyone was following the rules, then the incident should not have happened.
This case is very unique because usually all we hear about is a drone pilot doing something irresponsible and the manned aircraft being put at some risk.
The reverse is true here.
Sadly, Transport Canada has not publicly released its findings with respect to this case!
8 months have gone by!
Even in cases where major aircraft incidents have taken place, with multiple fatalities, Transport Canada, will release their Preliminary Findings within 10 days.
A Final Report may take a year or more.
When I called Transport Canada and asked about the status of their investigation in this matter, I was told they had a year to complete their report.
Ridiculous!
I promised this Forum that I would stay on top of this and I will.
When I have any new information, I will share it with you.
Safe and Responsible Flying, everybody!
Jim........
