Page 23 - Tuskegee Airmen Drone License Preparatory Course Chp.2 Manual

Collision Avoidance

A key component to avoiding both manned and unmanned aircraft is active collision avoidance
procedures. Scanning the sky for other aircraft is a critical factor in collision avoidance. Remote pilots
and visual observers must develop an effective scanning technique that maximizes visual capabilities.
Because the eye focus only on a narrow viewing area, effective scanning is accomplished with a series of
short, regularly spaced eye movement. Each movement should not exceed 10⁰, and each area should be
observed for at least one second. Any aircraft that appears to have no relative motion and stays in one
scan quadrant is likely to be on a collision course. If a target shows neither lateral nor vertical motion,
but increases in size, take evasive action.

Another crucial component to collision avoidance is avoiding operations near and under moored
balloons and helicopters. The helicopter community performs their critical operations typically at
1,000 feet or less and often in a wire/obstruction rich environment. It is important to note that not
all wires are marked.

Inflight Hazards

Although most sUAS cannot be operated in precipitation or other adverse weather conditions, remote
PICs should be aware that static electricity buildup (sometimes referred to as P static) can occur when
an aircraft in flight comes in contact with ran, snow, fog, sleet, hail, volcanic ash, dust; any solid or liquid
particles. In a very short period of time a substantial negative charge will develop on the skin on the
aircraft, If the aircraft is not equipped with static dischargers or has an ineffective static discharger
system, when a sufficient negative voltage level is reached the aircraft may develop a phenomenon
called a “corona”, a luminous manifestation of the static electricity accumulation. Such buildups may
discharge form the extremities of the aircraft, such as the wing tips, horizontal stabilizer, vertical
stabilizer antenna, propeller tips, etc. The visible discharge of static electricity is referred to as “St.
Elmo’s fire.” P-static can also disrupt communications between the sUAS and the control station which
may have significant detrimental impact on the ability to control or retrieve the sUAS. Some sUAS may
use static dischargers to address this problem.

In recent year, the use of lasers has had more of an impact on all types of flight operations. Of
concern to NAS users are those laser event that may affect pilots, e.g., outdoor laser light shows
are demonstrations for entertainment and advertisement at special events and theme parks.
Generally, the beams from these events appear as bright blue green in color, however, they may
be red, yellow or white and some laser systems produce light that is invisible to the human eye.
FAA regulations prohibit the disruption of aviation activity by any person on the ground or in the
air.

Remote pilots should be aware that illumination from these laser operations are able to create
temporary vision impairment miles from the actual location. In addition, these operations can
cause permanent eye damage. Remote pilots should therefore use caution when using sUAS in
and around known laser activity. Extreme caution should be exercised if an sUAS is fitted with a
laser as it could potentially cause hazards to manned aircraft, the public, or even the remote pIC
or other crewmembers. Pilots should make themselves aware of where these activities are being
conducted and avoid these areas if possible. When these activities become known to the FAA,

DRONE PART 107 CERTICIFACTION PREPARATION COURSE 23