Always gotta be on the lookout for low flying helicopters

[skyPhoenix]

I live on the east coastline in Sydney, Australia. It doesn't matter where I go along this coast line to fly my Inspire. I'm always encountering seemingly low flying helicopters. Its cool, but at the same time you gotta be mindful of them. You get a few seconds alert warning because you can hear them coming before you can actually see them.

 

[InspiredOne]

I live on the east coastline in Sydney, Australia. It doesn't matter where I go along this coast line to fly my Inspire. I'm always encountering seemingly low flying helicopters. Its cool, but at the same time you gotta be mindful of them. You get a few seconds alert warning because you can hear them coming before you can actually see them.

In the US, it's my understanding that full-sized aircraft are not to fly below 500 feet. Model aircraft are not to fly above 400 feet. That guy was below you. What was your altitude?

It would seem the "big boys" need to remember they are not alone up there.

 

[damoncooper]

Had a closer-than-comfortable encounter myself about a month ago. Help buzzed overhead doing about 75+mph at around 200ft. I dropped altitude immediately when I heard it but caught the shadow on video (shadow was about 30ft long on the ground!)

Freaked me out a bit.

It was just a few minutes earlier I had been at that altitude.

Got me thinking about onboard ADS-B short-range micro-transponders for RC aircraft (which exist). Not sure if it would have helped if this pilot was ignoring regulations anyway, but might help in other situations.

Note: there was no helo port in the area, but Boston Logon was about 10 miles to the southwest. I assume he came from there.

I didn't think to get a tail number, unfortunately.

 

[sirnikolas]

Someone should let that guy know not to fly anywhere near @turbodronepilot 's neighbours house

 

[The Editor]

I usually hear helicopters before they are upon me however the buggers that have caught me out a couple of times are....... gliders!!!

Totally silent

 

[sirnikolas]

I usually hear helicopters before they are upon my but the buggers that have caught me out a couple of times are....... gliders!!!

Totally silent

Why are you even letting anything near your butt?

 

[The Editor]

Why are you even letting anything near your butt?

Haha...typo'd. (Now kor-rectid)

 

[sirnikolas]

Haha...typo'd. (Now kor-rectid)

I'm still laughing!

 

[guitarsail]

I've watched the video 4 times now, still haven't seen the helo! What time is it in the video?

 

[InspiredOne]

I've watched the video 4 times now, still haven't seen the helo! What time is it in the video?

You have to watch it full screen. It's a speck toward the center at the start of the video, he is panning with it. The heli was a fair distance away, but below the Inspire.

 

[guitarsail]

Ahhhhh full screen there it is. How the heck did you you see that on your ipad or phone while flying? Thats a tiny dot for sure!

 

[sirnikolas]

With Headplays you'd see it

 

[skyPhoenix]

I've watched the video 4 times now, still haven't seen the helo! What time is it in the video?

Your right. Its a little hard to see. Need to watch the video fullscreen preferably on a desktop pc. The playback quality needs to be around 720p+

 

[skyPhoenix]

Ahhhhh full screen there it is. How the heck did you you see that on your ipad or phone while flying? Thats a tiny dot for sure!

I could see it as clear as day. It deffinately looks so much further away on youtube. I too had trouble seeing it unless i played it back on fullscreen and in HD. In reality it looked even closer.
I use a 10.1 inch samsung galaxy tab s with the controller.

 

[CaptainBadge]

Had a closer-than-comfortable encounter myself about a month ago. Help buzzed overhead doing about 75+mph at around 200ft. I dropped altitude immediately when I heard it but caught the shadow on video (shadow was about 30ft long on the ground!)

Freaked me out a bit.

It was just a few minutes earlier I had been at that altitude.

Got me thinking about onboard ADS-B short-range micro-transponders for RC aircraft (which exist). Not sure if it would have helped if this pilot was ignoring regulations anyway, but might help in other situations.

Note: there was no helo port in the area, but Boston Logon was about 10 miles to the southwest. I assume he came from there.

I didn't think to get a tail number, unfortunately.

Actually departure for helos from BOS (or most airports) is at or below 500 feet to maintain separation from fixed wing traffic. Also Helicopters are not subject to the 500 foot minimum altitude requirement for fixed wing aircraft so long as 'their operations are conducted without hazard to persons or property on the ground'.

 

[Carlsberg]

Actually departure for helos from BOS (or most airports) is at or below 500 feet to maintain separation from fixed wing traffic.

How many feet from take-off is "departure", (1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 miles, 400 miles)?

There are a lot more things flying in the air at low altitudes these days.
Low flying Helos better watch out!
Not just our little drones, but ultra-lights, parasailors, paragliders, hot air balloons, etc

Once upon a time Orvil and Wilber didn't have anything to worry about

 

[huppe]

That guy was to low for sure.I think your altitude was not that high

 

[CaptainBadge]

How many feet from take-off is "departure", (1/2 mile, 1 mile, 2 miles, 400 miles)?

There are a lot more things flying in the air at low altitudes these days.
Low flying Helos better watch out!
Not just our little drones, but ultra-lights, parasailors, paragliders, hot air balloons, etc

Once upon a time Orvil and Wilber didn't have anything to worry about

Big difference between ultra-lights, parasailors, paragliders, hot air balloons, etc. First- how many of these do you see near major airports. Second, the size difference alone negates your argument based on visibility. Third, all three have the ability to maintain situational awareness based on the fact that they are manned.

 

[CaptainBadge]

Forgot to add, KBOS has an inner ring of surface to 7000 msl extending out 8 nm so if they give you instructions to maintain at or below 500' until clear of their airspace, 8 miles would be the soonest they could climb and at that point they would have to stay below 2000' for another 12 miles. That whole upside down wedding cake thing.

 

[skylabimaging]

Head always on a swivel and ears listening for any potential objects.

It's irritating though, some of the helis in Seattle get low, usually hear em way before there is an issue