What You Can Do To Help–
Naval aviation has a saying…
“All helicopter emergency procedures are written in blood.”
What it means is…
Somebody died to find out what we now know about the helicopter ..and the best way to handle a particular emergency.
Let’s hope we don’t have to write procedures for medical helicopters to avoid drones… in blood. Let’s hope we can do better.
This week medical helicopter pilots in Virgina pleaded with drone owners to stay away from airports and medical helicopters. The plea is important. And what’s even more important is what’s not being said.
Read Between The Lines
What does it mean when pilots publicly plead with drone operators? Is there anything to read “between the lines?”
Yes. Absolutely.
It means in no uncertain terms the pilots do not trust the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fix the problem. It means the pilots have lost faith in the “system” that’s in place to protect them and the public they fly.
It means pilots feel they have no other choice but to bypass the FAA and go directly to the public with their concerns.
It’s a bad sign… for all of us.
And easy as it is to throw proverbial stones at agencies entrusted to protect the public…
Name calling and stone-throwing never solves the problem.
How You Can Help
Is there any way to solve the problem?
Is there anything you and I can do to help? Is there anything anyone can do to help?
Yes.
Actually, there is.
Pick up a telephone and call your elected officials. Call your congressperson and share your concerns about drones interfering with medical helicopters.
Send an email (written record) to elected officials with the same concerns.
Let’s not wait until the next air medical memorial service to voice concerns about medical helicopters and drones.
Let’s do what we can do, Right Now!
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29 Responses
Wishing safety for all flight crews as all the latest toys that hover and fly are getting more abundant.
Stephan,
Thanks for the kind words and positive vibes. Everyone on the Flight Safety Network Team – Ground & Air – Appreciates It!
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Honestly I begin to believe drones should be considered aircraft, and should require appropriate training and licensing–just like any other craft on the water, in the air, or on land. They are no longer a modern marvel, and they are quickly becoming much more than a nuisance.
Aircraft grounded when idiots fly drones over fire ground operations risk lives on the ground because the apparatus they depend on for support are no longer available. People can’t get out, and supplies can’t get in. But, hey, nobody cares so long as somebody sees it live on network news, right?
Drones are already a serious threat, and in an atmosphere of mistrust and open hostility toward emergency services in all venues even serious injury and death doesn’t seem to gather more than fifteen seconds of headshaking and finger-pointing. Something needs to change.
Therle,
You make some great points.
Training and licensing for drone operators (done properly) would go a long way toward making drone use safer for air medical and aviation at large.. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll see it happen until after tragedy occurs. It’s sad that most safety policy is reactive, and almost never proactive.
Having said that, bringing awareness to the issue is the best thing we can do right now.
Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
The manufacturers should be placing educational material with the equipment. It’s no guarantee that it will be heeded but it is a start. Many folks have no idea what is happening in the airspace around them.
John,
You’re right.
Safety and success are about shared responsibility. Air medical pilots have a responsibility to follow applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) and fly safely.
Drone operators and owners have a responsibility to fly their equipment in a safe manner.
And as you mention, manufacturers also have a responsibility to produce a safe product that is used within safe guidelines.
What has everybody nervous right now (in addition to the close calls) is the lack of oversight on the whole process. To be kind, many Americans hold low expectations in regard to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and government, in general, doing the things they say they’ll do.
Thanks for your input.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
maybe you can post a link of a Petition that emails directly to Senators….
Sue,
Thanks for commenting. We appreciate your support and like your thought process. The problem we’ve seen with petitions is saturation. Congresspersons see so many that they’ve developed a kind of “petition blindness.”
We believe a more effective technique is individual phone calls and letters. When congressional staff is too busy answering calls, email inquiries, and letters to run their errands and perform their normal lapdog duties – it seems to get more congressional attention. But again, thank you for your support and your suggestion.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
The answer to drone problems…….
Scott,
I don’t think awareness of drones is the full answer, but it’s definitely a start.
Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
We need a law passed that drones not be flown by joe average public its so dangerous for helos n airplanes. Lets get a law passed before we have a tragedy
You know it girl, next the public will be using them to “laser” pilots of our jets or other illegal things!
Carol,
We’re definitely hoping the issue is addressed before tragedy occurs. Thank you for sharing your concerns and suggestions.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds,
Depends who you classify as Joe average public
Kenny,
You’re right. And remember the goal is not to limit anybody’s freedom or ability to fly – drones included. The challenge is finding workable solutions that keep everyone safe.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Need some kind of jamming device that nukes the drone and let’s it fall, totally unimpeded, to the earth below…
Fred,
Your idea would be nice. Although, the “nuclear” option usually gets people concerned. 🙂
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
I believe drones are a problem! I hope someone will out law them! They suck!
Cheryl,
We always appreciate direct and right to the point opinions. Thank you for sharing yours.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
The topic of drones being used anywhere near the flight pattern of the ambulance helicopters should not have to be addressed. Anyone with common sense would keep away from the needed services of the helicopter ambulance service. If legislation is needed to send the message then so be it. I support the legislation.
David,
You make some good points. The challenge is that common sense is subjective in regard to drones. Different people have different opinions. I’m hoping we can all agree that safety is everyone’s first priority.
Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
Start shooting down these drones!
Jamie,
Thanks for commenting. Shooting down drones is not the answer. Finding a way for drones to operate safely without compromising the safety or speed of EMS helicopters is the answer.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
the idiot flying this drone needs to be charged with attempted murder for delaying the person’s life
Amy,
I hear what you’re saying and understand your frustration. Hopefully, this article will inspire enough people to call their elected officials and some positive action happens.
Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
We have a guy in our area that likes to fly his experimental helicopter around our scenes and it causes headache because there is no communication between him and the helicopters coming in so they have to hover around and get his attention so they can land that’s not fair for the patient that’s not fair to us and it’s damn not fair to that medical helicopter pilot trying to do his job but watch out for this idiot because he doesn’t know which direction he’s going next. he also puts me in danger the drones are the least of my concern right now and I myself own one. I guess it’s just common sense
Jeffery,
Your situation is unfortunately becoming pretty typical. It’s a good example of why more awareness (an action) is needed in regard to drones. Hopefully, something positive will come from people like yourself sharing your stories. Thank you.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds
I am a Paramedic deal with rotor and fixed wing daily I also own and operate a drone. Operators of drones need proper training. We also need to find a way to let them know when a Rotor wing will be in the area. LZ can be set up anywhere at anytime and they are unknown to the general public.
Wes,
I agree with you about training for drone operators. Awareness is an important first step. Air medical programs like the one mentioned in this article are smart. A proactive approach to educating the public is a much better approach than waiting on government agencies to get involved.
Thanks for commenting.
Clear Skies & Tailwinds