Drones Swarming the News (Part Two): A Common-Sense Guide to Minimizing Hazards from Unplanned UAS Encounters

December 17, 2024

Guide to Minimizing Hazards from Unplanned UAS (Drone) Encounters

1. Maintain Situational Awareness

Use of ATIS and NOTAMs:

Check drone-related NOTAMs before flights through official FAA resources. Access NOTAMs at https://notams.aim.faa.gov/notamSearch.

Stay informed on local drone regulations through the FAA's UAS section at https://www.faa.gov/uas.

Monitor Air Traffic Frequencies:

Stay tuned to ATC communications for reports of drone activity near your flight path.

Participate in UAS Reporting Networks:

Report UAS sightings to the FAA using their UAS Sighting Reporting Database at https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/public_records/uas_sightings_report.

2. Flight Planning Adjustments

Avoid Known UAS Activity Areas:

Identify and avoid drone test zones through maps and airspace resources at https://uasfaa.opendata.arcgis.com.

Account for Low Altitude Risk:

Focus on the highest-risk altitudes below 500 feet during takeoff and landing, where drones are most often encountered.

Flight Altitude Awareness:

Use FAA-provided guidance on drone operations in controlled airspace at https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107.

3. Communication with ATC

Immediate Reporting:

Report suspected or confirmed drone sightings to ATC with detailed location, altitude, and drone behavior. Guidance for drone incident reporting is provided at https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/reporting.

Coordination:

Work with ATC to adjust flight paths if drones are detected nearby. Learn more about ATC protocols at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications.

4. Emergency Procedures

Evade and Assess:

Follow FAA bird strike procedures, which often apply to drone encounters. Review the guidance at https://www.faa.gov/airports/airport_safety/wildlife.

Prepare for Mid-Air Contact:

Study FAA recommendations for dealing with unexpected drone encounters: https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/drones-keeping-skies-safe.

Post-Encounter Reporting:

File an incident report with the FAA's Drone Zone system at https://faadronezone.faa.gov.

5. Equip Aircraft with Anti-Drone Technologies

Onboard Detection Systems:

Consider radar and optical detection systems like Echodyne’s Airborne Detect-and-Avoid Radar: https://echodyne.com.

Communication-Based Alerts:

Equip aircraft with ADS-B systems, integrating with technologies that monitor nearby drones. Learn more at https://www.faa.gov/nextgen/equipadsb.

Counter-Drone Systems:

Investigate electromagnetic or laser-based drone neutralization systems like the Battelle DroneDefender: https://www.battelle.org/markets/national-security/aerospace-systems/drone-defender.

6. Foster Crew Preparedness

Training:

Include drone-related scenarios in crew training programs. FAA resources for pilot training can be found at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training.

Coordination Between Crew:

Use FAA's Crew Resource Management (CRM) guidelines: https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/safety/cfr_part_121/crew_resource_management.

7. Advocate for Policy Enhancements

Support Airspace Modernization:

Learn about NASA’s UTM initiative to integrate drones and aircraft: https://utm.arc.nasa.gov.

Push for Stronger Regulations:

Stay engaged with FAA rulemaking for drones: https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published.

Promote Public Awareness:

Educate recreational drone operators through FAA’s Know Before You Fly initiative: https://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org.

8. Leverage Collaboration

Engage with Counter-UAS Organizations:

Collaborate with groups like the Air Charter Safety Foundation: https://www.acsf.aero.

Share Intelligence:

Participate in industry groups focused on counter-UAS technology, such as AUVSI: https://www.auvsi.org.

Key Takeaways

Combining situational awareness, proactive planning, advanced technologies, and strong collaboration with ATC and regulators can significantly reduce risks associated with UAS encounters. The provided resources offer actionable steps to ensure safety and compliance.

Additional Resources

While the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) manages official reporting and tracking of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), several independent platforms and applications have emerged to monitor drone activity, especially those not tracked or verified by the FAA.?

Here are some notable resources:

1. Drone Scanner by Dronetag

• Description: A mobile application that transforms your smartphone or tablet into a drone scanner, detecting nearby drones broadcasting Remote ID data.
• Features:

Real-time tracking of drones within your vicinity.

Detailed maps highlighting specific flying zones.

• Availability: Free on iOS and Android.
• More Information: Dronetag Releases Drone Scanner App

2. Air Sentinel

• Description: An app designed to detect drones broadcasting Remote ID signals, providing real-time updates on drone activity.
• Features:

Live updates of drones operating in your area.

Cloud connectivity to share detected drone data with the global Air Sentinel community.

Web access to view drone activity via the AirSentinel.ai website.

• Availability: Available on Google Play Store.

3. Uavity

• Description: A real-time drone tracking platform and sensor provider, enabling users to monitor and track drones globally.
• Features:

Web-based or locally hosted platform to monitor large areas simultaneously.

Alerts about drone activity in specified locations.

Searchable historical data on drone flights by area or specific drone.

• More Information: Uavity - Real-Time Drone Tracking

4. AirMap

• Description: A tool that visualizes all drones within a one-mile vicinity, enhancing situational awareness for both drone operators and the general public.
• Features:

Real-time mapping of nearby drone flights.

Integration with various drone manufacturers and service providers.

• More Information: AirMap's Drone Activity Map

5. ADS-B Exchange

• Description: A comprehensive flight tracking platform that includes data on various aircraft types, including some drones equipped with ADS-B transponders.
• Features:

Live tracking of aircraft worldwide.

Historical flight data and playback.

• Access: ADS-B Exchange - Track Aircraft Live

6. National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC)

• Description: A platform dedicated to the reporting of unidentified flying objects, which may include unrecognized drone activity.
• Features:

Publicly accessible database of sighting reports.

Online submission form for new reports.

• Access: NUFORC

7. Drone Traffic LLC

• Description: Provides a drone detection and warning system to monitor and report drone activity, aiming to enhance airspace safety.
• Features:

Airborne drone monitoring and reporting.

Avoidance system leveraging Remote ID mandates.

• More Information: Drone Traffic LLC

8. FlightAware

• Description: Offers live flight tracking, including data on UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) aircraft types.
• Features:

Real-time flight maps.

Departure and arrival information.

• Access: FlightAware UAV Tracking

These platforms provide valuable insights into drone activities, especially those not directly monitored by the FAA. They serve various purposes, from enhancing public awareness to assisting in airspace safety and incident reporting.

For official reporting of unsafe or unauthorized drone operations, the FAA encourages contacting local Flight Standards District Offices. More information can be found on the FAA's How to Report a Drone Sighting page.

Please note that while these independent platforms offer useful information, they may not have the comprehensive oversight that official channels provide.

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