The chiefs of aviation are urging people to safely fly drones in order to safeguard low-flying air medical vehicles, which will be performing around 1,000 lifesaving operations during this holiday period.
Jonathan Nicholson was the Civil Aviation Authority’s assistant director for communications. He asked users of drones to stay alert and fly safely in order to avoid low-flying air ambulances.
With thousands expected drone gifts for Christmas this year, Nicholson stated that there are more than 400,000 drone owners in the UK. He also said, “With many drone owners already registered, with more to come during Christmas,”. We ask all drone users to use safety and be aware of low-flying helicopters.
In the last ten years there have been nearly 500 near misses between aircraft and drones, including up to 125 within a single year.
Drone flying is often performed by air ambulances at a height of 400 feet.
Chiefs of aviation have warned drone pilots to be careful. A drone crashed into an ambulance flying in Leicestershire earlier this year. The incident was only 30 feet away. Pictured: An air ambulance from Cornwall takes off
MailOnline was told by a spokesperson for the leading drone manufacturer Direct Drones that they expect to sell thousands of popular Christmas presents (File photo).
Air ambulances were able to escape a midair collision only by being 30ft above the ground in Leicestershire, October.
The drone was spotted by the pilot of the helicopter, but he had to take off quickly to keep it from hitting him.
Only 30 feet above the ambulance, the drone was white and called a ‘quadcopter.
“In most cases, drones and helicopters can fly below 400ft. However, a drone operator is more likely to spot and hear an approaching helicopter.
“So we ask drone owners in such situations to keep drones away from land and land as much as possible.
“They will then be able to ensure that helicopters capable of saving lives can safely operate.”
According to the CAA, air ambulance charity charities in the UK are expected to carry out around 1000 life-saving flights during December. There will be a total of approximately 180 crew and 40 helicopters operating each day.
A few drones can hold cameras and take amazing aerial photos of events or landscapes.
People with severe illness or sudden critical injury can receive pre-hospital emergency treatment by air ambulance.
Simmy Akhtar is the chief of Air Ambulances UK. He stated: “Air ambulance charities across the UK continued to provide vital lifesaving services for those in dire need of prehospital critical care during the pandemic.
“Now is the time for drone owners to help out our air ambulance charities during this festive season.
By being familiar with the CAA’s drone regulations, everyone at home can contribute to keeping Christmas safe.