Here is an interesting article published just last month (December 2016) .

“What Really Happens When a Drone Strikes an Airplane”

http://www.popularmechanics.com/flight/drones/a24467/drone-plane-collision/



I’m posting this because I want to ask if there are any current resources, articles, videos, whatever on avoiding drones for GA pilots flying small planes like your average Cessna 172. And if you do collide, what to do.

Not quite sure what reactions and maneuvers to do if I’m “surprised one day” while taking a routine $ 100 dollar hamburger flight. I have never had any specific training on drone avoidance, emergency maneuvers, see-and avoid techniques to spot and prevent a drone incident, etc. I am sure there is more than just “ do what you normally do for birds, parachute jumpers, etc. ”. Not all drone operators will obey 400 foot altitude rules, not flying near small uncontrolled fields, etc. Okay, maybe I worry too much…? Hey, I used to be a Boy Scout… you know “ Be Prepared”

What are you CFIs out there teaching PPLs to do.? Others? I am sure this is an evolving topic.

A few excerpts:

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Horsfall says helicopters and light aircraft have far more to fear from drones because their windshields are not as strong and are more likely to be flying at the same altitude as drones, especially when fighting fires. While airliner windshields are unlikely to be broken by bird impact, there have been cases where helicopters have been lost because of a run-in with a flock of geese. Drones will only make matters worse. ...

The other big issue is a battery's annoying tendency to burst into flames when damaged. To recreate this effect, Horsfall used a gun designed to fired a chisel blade at a drone battery. After a few seconds the damaged battery heated up and soon started burning fiercely. If the battery was lodged inside a radome or embedded in a plane, a fire could be the catastrophic icing on a tragic cake. ...

"Drones are here to stay," says Bayandor. "This is just the beginning."

I have always taught Dutch rolls to 45 degrees to both insure/indoctrinate proper rudder use to counter adverse yaw and build comfort with aggressive maneuvering as needed to miss stuff.

They probably don't want to lose the drone and might want to avoid the aircraft aggressively maneuvering to get separation. Outside terror I would think they are trying to get close and not realizing the danger to both.

Most drones aren't much bigger than medium size birds, like seagulls and the like. Consequently, unless they're in a flock, my guess is that most of us won't see them until too late to avoid. Heck, most airplanes are hard to see from any distance!

I've never encountered a drone while flying, but I've certainly encountered birds--and if they had been in front of me instead of beside, above, or below, I couldn't have avoided them successfully. My thought: if you're going to hit the drone, then hit the drone and do everything possible to maintain control. Trying to avoid the drone by some very abrupt maneuver, especially relatively close to the ground, is likely to result in LOC. It's a bit like the driving rule, that if a squirrel or rabbit runs out in front of you, you don't try to avoid hitting it and run off the road in the process.

Cary

Good point on the size/threat of drones, Cary. I have missed airplanes that way at low altitude, however. Like anything, proficiency and currency are necessary. Birds drop a wing and dive. Not a good deal for crop dusters. We generally hit those.

The “drones” seem to be getting bigger and bigger. The current Amazon delivery drones are not exactly tiny. If the commercial people get their way, I am sure every larger drones will soon be populating our skies.

The Army just announced a “hoverbike” drone that can carry 300 pounds. I bet Amazon would love to have that at their disposal. They have the money no doubt.

Possible Altitude Corridors for Delivery Drones ( 0-200 Ft, 200-400 Ft. )


Amazon Deliver Drone


Drone (Hoverbike) carries 300 pounds


Drone Hoverbike Video

I still favor the Ithaca or Mosburg drone suppression units. I would encourage not flaming a drone battery during the dry season.

Be sure to check local regulations to be sure the suppression units are legal within your municipality.



TD

TomD wrote:I still favor the Ithaca or Mosburg drone suppression units. I would encourage not flaming a drone battery during the dry season.

Be sure to check local regulations to be sure the suppression units are legal within your municipality.



TD

Remington works pretty good, too.

Cary

Cary wrote:

TomD wrote:I still favor the Ithaca or Mosburg drone suppression units. I would encourage not flaming a drone battery during the dry season.

Be sure to check local regulations to be sure the suppression units are legal within your municipality.



TD

Remington works pretty good, too.

Cary

Know your backstop before playing Wyatt Earp or Annie Oakley.

Not different to birds or any other airborne obstacle, once it's hit, it's hit. Doesn't matter what it was once it's hit. Then the same old training applies, fly the aircraft first, etc etc etc. Best thing you can do to help your chances is be current in your aircraft of choice (and I don't mean three T/O's in the last 90 days). No need for new discussion just because "drones".

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No need for new discussion just because "drones".

I guess I was thinking the topic would also include discussions on how to prevent the incident in the first place. Maybe not just evasive maneuvers, but including better or different spotting methods, increased awareness at lower altitudes, day vs night sighting techniques, and so forth.

A friend of mine has this huge 16 engine octa-copter drone which is 6 feet + ( 2 meters) in diameter. Nasty black thing, quite heavy, and made of metal. It is not a commercial model, but something he built on his own. I asked whether he might paint it orange for better visibility, and he said no. It's scary.

I have just never seen this topic ever mentioned during any flight instruction or ground school. Of course, back when I first soloed the Hindenburg had just.... you get the idea. . This whole drone thing is new, and maybe I am being just overly precautious about things. Birds are not made of metal or carry lithium batteries. Speaking just for myself, I am interested in learning more about this issue.

Maybe indeed the thread topic is not that important right now, but in time I'm confident it eventually will be.

I would think the six foot diameter black ones would be comparable to dodging buzzards, which I seem to do a lot of...and I would think an unsuccessful outcome would at least smell better. It's the little duck sized ones that arent as agile as ducks that concern me. I just try to stay under them most of the time...seriously though, just fly the airplane. Worry about the rest when you get it on the ground.

As mentioned on other posts most drone and RC flyers adhere to the 400 AGL rule, but there are always the RC and Drone Flyers who will push the limit.

There is an RC field on the 45 approach to KHMT here in SoCal. I have seen RC planes up at my 1000 AGL pattern altitude flying along side of me.

I have been told by an RC flyer to always fly around the side of the RC/Drone strip where the cars are parked, because the flyers usually fly their craft on the opposite side of their parking area.

I am surprise we haven't heard of some terrorist flying one of the 50 pound Drones up into an airliner on approach. Not every airline pilot is a Sully.