I was interested in Pat Malone’s
column, ‘Unmanned and dangerous’,
in the Spring issue. When I attended
the ground school course for the
Remote Pilot Qualification — Small
(RPQ-S) last October, the class
included two current ATPLs flying for major
airlines, a retired commercial helicopter pilot, and several
professional photographers. I have a lapsed PPL. The crossover
from private and commercial aviation is self-evident.
We were all there with the ultimate aim of achieving the
certification so that we could apply for a PFAW (Permission
For Aerial Work) from the CAA.
The instructors were both ex-Army UAV pilots who had
flown reconnaissance missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. The
course was run by Resource Group, one of now four QE
(Qualified Entities) offering CAA approved courses that can
lead to a PFAW.
There is also a growing number of hobbyist drone flyers with
no interest in using their aircraft for commercial purposes and
who are encouraged by UAV retailers and various associations
and online groups to adhere to the rules and guidelines in the
ANO and elsewhere. They know that the rogue elements who
fly UAV recklessly and dangerously threaten their hobby with
increased and disruptive legislation.
UAVs are being used to great effect in an increasing number
of areas; from SAR to agriculture. If it’s dull, dirty, or
dangerous work then a drone can often be the safest and most
cost-effective choice.
We are at the early stages of drone development and the
likelihood is that there will be many more in the air in the
years to come, but this should be seen as a positive new
aspect of aviation. Let’s not develop an ‘us and them’ attitude
between manned and unmanned. There are plenty of pilots,
both private and commercial, who have a foot in both camps.
Ben Lovegrove, Fareham, Hampshire
The UAV genie is
out of the bottle
I have been told that Wattisham was not the correct airfield being
problematic with a GA low fuel emergency, as mentioned in my
letter in the March issue.
I owe them an apology and have spoken with the very friendly
airfield manager who has invited me to visit, which I will do in
order to apologise in person.
My point stands, however, that it will be really good news if
military airfields can be opened up for GA where possible.
Martin Banbury, Dedham, Essex
Low-fuel emergency: it wasn’t Wattisham!
Am I alone in noticing that the
pilot killed in the Cardinal/
Kitfox collision had right of
way (AAIB report and ‘Safety
Matters’, p.84), just as did the
pilot killed in the Diamond/
RV-6A collision near Shoreham
— and yet the AAIB chooses
not to mention this, nor the
need for pilots to look out to
their right more than to their
left in flight?
They should also be looking
to their left, of course, and if
their aeroplane goes slowly
(less than ninety knots) they
should be looking over both
shoulders, too! Every fifteen
seconds, all the time!
Bob GrimsteadRemember the right of way? And keep looking out!