In Oceanside CA, brush fire fighting efforts were recently hampered due to a drone sighting. News covered it here:
Search for drone operator who disrupted fire fighting efforts.
This type of stuff only hurts legitimate drone pilots, particularly during disasters when an aerial view may prove to be helpful. It simply goes without having to say it that any responsible drone pilot would not fly in an area where other aircraft were operating and a brush fire with helicopter water drops support certainly fits that scenario. I monitor fire and aircraft radio channels when I fly because there is a trauma center located within 5 mies and they operate a LifeFlight heliport. Any indication of an incoming flight immediately causes me to ground my drone. I do not want any LifeFlight pilot even having to think that there might be a drone operating in the vicinity, that pilot is busy enough. Fire dispatch sends a crew to the landing zone 15 or 20 minutes out of each arriving flight, so I have ample notice of an incoming flight. LifeFlight notifies the area airport (17 miles away) of their operations so I always have two methods of alerts. Redundancy is good for airplanes and pilots. Please do not complicate pilots' missions with drones.
Search for drone operator who disrupted fire fighting efforts.
This type of stuff only hurts legitimate drone pilots, particularly during disasters when an aerial view may prove to be helpful. It simply goes without having to say it that any responsible drone pilot would not fly in an area where other aircraft were operating and a brush fire with helicopter water drops support certainly fits that scenario. I monitor fire and aircraft radio channels when I fly because there is a trauma center located within 5 mies and they operate a LifeFlight heliport. Any indication of an incoming flight immediately causes me to ground my drone. I do not want any LifeFlight pilot even having to think that there might be a drone operating in the vicinity, that pilot is busy enough. Fire dispatch sends a crew to the landing zone 15 or 20 minutes out of each arriving flight, so I have ample notice of an incoming flight. LifeFlight notifies the area airport (17 miles away) of their operations so I always have two methods of alerts. Redundancy is good for airplanes and pilots. Please do not complicate pilots' missions with drones.
