It Can Be Difficult For Helicopter Pilots And Drone Operators To Know When The Other Is Nearby The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says drones and helicopters regularly operate in the same environments and even when helicopter pilots are aware of nearby drone operations and remain vigilant, it is still very hard for them to spot a drone with enough time to avoid a collision. It is every drone pilot’s responsibility to see and avoid helicopters and all other aircraft, as well as remain well clear of and not interfere with other aircraft operations. The FAA says per 49 USC section 44809, 14 CFR part 107, and 14 CFR part 91, seeing and avoiding other aircraft, especially helicopters, must always be the top priority (along with not causing a hazard to persons or property on the ground). Understanding and complying with the visual line of sight (VLOS) requirements in these regulations is essential.
