Fly your drones safely this Christmas, CAA chief pleads to avoid air ambulance collisions
Fly your drones safely this Christmas, CAA chief pleads, warning that the popular present can affect air ambulances – which are expected to make 1,000 life-saving missions this year
- Aviation chiefs urged drone users to fly safely and look out for air ambulances
- In October an emergency helicopter came within 30ft of mid-air drone collision
- Air ambulances are set to make around 1,000 lifesaving missions over Christmas
- Meanwhile, thousands of drones are expected to be sold over the festive period
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Aviation chiefs have urged people to fly drones safely to protect low-flying air ambulances, which are expected to make around 1,000 lifesaving missions during the festive period.
Jonathan Nicholson, the assistant director of communications, at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), asked drone users to fly safely and remain alert for low-flying air ambulances.
With thousands of drones expected to be given as presents this Christmas, Mr Nicholson said: ‘With more than 400,000 registered drone owners across the UK, and more expected to be added during the festive period as people receive new drones for Christmas, we’re asking all drone users to fly safely and to especially be on the lookout for low-flying helicopters.
There have been close to 500 close calls between drones and aircraft in the past ten years, with up to 125 in a single year.
Air ambulances often fly below the 400ft maximum height for drone flying.
Aviation chiefs have urged drone users to take care when flying. Earlier this year an air ambulance in Leicestershire avoided a mid-air collision with a drone by just 30 feet. Pictured: A Cornwall air ambulance takes off
A spokeswoman for leading drone company Direct Drones told MailOnline they expected to sell ‘thousands’ of the popular present at Christmas (File image)
Only in October an air ambulance avoided a mid-air collision by just 30ft in Leicestershire.
Luckily the helicopter pilot spotted the drone but had to drop altitude sharply to avoid hitting it.
The white ‘quadcopter’ drone passed just 30ft above the air ambulance.
‘In many cases when flying below 400ft drones and helicopters have equal access to airspace but in reality a drone user is much more likely to see and hear an approaching helicopter.
‘So, we ask drone users in those situations to keep their drones well away and land if possible.
‘They can then help to make sure that life-saving helicopters can operate safely.’
The CAA said air ambulance charities across the UK were expected to fly around 1,000 lifesaving missions during December with a total of about 180 crew members and 40 helicopters operational each day.
Some drones have the ability to hold cameras that can take incredible aerial shots of landscape and events
Air ambulance teams deliver pre-hospital emergency care to people with sudden critical injuries or illness.
Simmy Akhtar, the head of Air Ambulances UK, said: ‘Air ambulance charities right across the UK have continued to provide their vital lifesaving services to those in desperate need of pre-hospital critical care throughout the pandemic and beyond.
‘Now, during the festive period, drone users can do their bit to support our air ambulance charities too.
‘All of us at home can play a part in keeping our sky safe this Christmas by being mindful of the CAA’s drone regulations.’
