Tag: Airtug

Drones and Small Aircraft – Can They Co-Exist?

Do Drones Impinge on Airspace for Aircraft?
Do Drones Impinge on Airspace for Aircraft or Can They Co-Exist?

Our battery-powered aircraft caddy lets workers safely maneuver small planes on the ground. Do drones pose a safety risk to small aircraft in flight?

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) seems to believe the answer is yes, and the agency is dragging its feet establishing permanent regulations for drones. Studies show that small aircraft and drones can actually safely share the skies.

Threat of Drone-Aircraft Collisions

With the FAA on high alert about drones in the airspace, they currently receive more than 100 reports per month concerning unmanned aircraft operating near manned aircraft. According to the Academy of Model Aeronautics, few of these incidents involve true risk to passengers.

In 2015, Bard College conducted a study about drones in close encounters with manned aircraft. The analysis of 921 reports showed that drones came within 200 feet of an aircraft in 158 cases, while only 28 pilots took evasive action.

Greater Risk: Drones or Birds?

With approximately 10 billion birds in the U.S., these flyers are far more likely than drones to be found in the air at any time. Using the assumption that drones are similar to birds in size and ability to evade aircraft, a pair of researchers from George Mason University estimated the likelihood of a serious drone-aircraft collision.

– Drones are likely to strike aircraft once per 374,000 hours of drone operation.

– One million two-kilogram drones in flight 24/7 would cause injury to an aircraft passenger once every 187 years.

Why Choose an Aircraft Caddy from DJ Products?

Our ergonomically designed aircraft caddy safely navigates small planes across snow or grass while negotiating the tightest hangar quarters. Use our handy online chat feature and let our friendly sales engineers help you find the right aircraft caddy for your applications.

Drones and Airplanes, Who Owns the Skies?

How to Maneuver the Skies
How to Maneuver the Skies

The increased use of drones, especially for recreational purposes, has raised concerns when it comes to keeping airplanes safe. While your airplane is safe on the ground while being pulled by an aircraft caddy, what about after it takes off in the air? Fortunately, new rules have been enacted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to protect planes from drones. Find out more about the issue of drones and planes sharing the air space.

Regulations

The FAA issued 14 CFR part 107, which effectively prohibits drone owners from operating their devices in air space used by commercial planes. The FAA previously expressed concern in this 2014 article on drones, but the agency has since come up with definitive regulations. They are contained in Part 107, which became effective on August 29, 2016.

Collisions

When it comes to collisions with aircraft, there have not been any known incidents involving drones striking planes. In fact, airplanes are more likely to have trouble with birds that collide with them or get pulled into engines. Birds are in the air far more than drones, and they outnumber these devices by quite a bit.

Solutions

Solutions to lower the risk of drone and airplane collisions involve providing drone operators with more education about how to use their devices safely and FAA certification as Small Unmanned Aircraft System pilots. Technological solutions include apps that let drone operators know which areas to avoid, such as this map posted at drone manufacturer DJI (not related to DJ Products).

If you could use an aircraft caddy, please contact DJ Products. We carry high-quality powered aircraft tugs that can help keep ground crews and small plane owners safe while also saving you time and effort.