Collisions Can Happen
Sky scanning techniques help to prevent collisions.
Most midair collision accidents occur during clear days.
The one common factor which affects most preventable accidents is human error.
How to Sky Scan
Let’s say you’re scanning the sky while flying your drone and you come across one of the following scenarios. Here is how drone pilots are required to respond:
Divide the Sky into 10° Section:
Divide the sky into smaller parts and focus on each one. Splitting up the sky visually into manageable chunks and giving enough time to look at each part allows drone pilots to spot planes or obstacles much more easily.
Scan left to right or right to left, starting far and working closer.
Make sure to overlap each 10° section a bit when you shift to the next spot. This method helps catch details and keep an eye out for anything in your drone’s path. It also aligns with human vision patterns and cognitive processes work.
Pause for 1-3 seconds at each 10° section:
Instead of staring consistently at one spot, move your eyes in short bursts— 10 degrees at a time—and pause for 1-3 seconds at each 10° section.
Sky Scanning at Night
Let’s say you’re scanning the sky while flying your drone and you come across one of the following scenarios. Here is how drone pilots are required to respond:
Off-Center Viewing:
To spot things better at night, use ‘off-center viewing‘. This means, instead of staring directly at something, divert your gaze by looking slowly around the object 10° up, down, or to the side.
Scanning Slowly with Peripheral Vision:
At night, using your peripheral vision by looking to the side and scanning slowly helps to utilize the more light-sensitive rod cells, enhancing your ability to detect other aircraft or hazards in low-light conditions.
Think about when you’re stargazing – sometimes, you see celestial objects more distinctly when you don’t gaze directly at them.
Can an sUAS be flown at night? Yes!
As long as the PIC has completed the proper training with the FAA night operations module and the drone is equipped with compliant anti-collision lights per 107.29 requirements.
30 Minute Eye Adaptation in the Dark
Dark adaptation is how your eyes adjust to low light.
It usually takes 30 minutes, but can take longer if you were previously in a bright place.
Pro Tip: Use Red or Green Light
When setting up your drone and going through your pre-flight checklist in low light, consider using a red or green light. It’s easier on your eyes and won’t mess up your night vision like white light.
Manned Aircraft Right of Way Rules
Already covered in Site Surveys lesson. Delete here?
Let’s say you’re scanning the sky while flying your drone and you come across one of the following scenarios. Here is how drone pilots are required to respond:
Manned Aircraft:
UA pilots must yield right of way to all manned aircraft. This means that if a manned aircraft is approaching, the drone operator must maneuver to avoid it.
Other Drones:
When encountering another drone, both operators are responsible for avoiding collisions. Part 107 does not specify a strict hierarchy of right of way between drones, but operators should use good judgment and communication to prevent conflicts.
