(Pikesville, MD) – The Maryland Department of State Police is issuing a reminder to operators of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly referred to as “drones,” on regulations for safe flying following a series of interferences involving the Maryland State Police Aviation Command.
On August 15, Maryland State Troopers were assisting Baltimore City Police at a sporting event at M&T Bank Stadium when a UAS was identified in the vicinity of the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center’s helipad. A Maryland State Police Aviation Command helicopter, Trooper 1, was on a medevac mission and departing Shock Trauma when the UAS began descending in the same area.
The operator of the UAS was located and was not licensed. The UAS was also operating in a Temporary Flight Restriction due to the sporting event.
It can be difficult for helicopter pilots to see a UAS with enough time to avoid a crash, especially at night. UAS operators have a responsibility to ensure they can see and avoid helicopters and all other aircraft, and remain well clear of and not interfere with other aircraft operations. Additionally, a UAS operator must yield the right-of-way to all other aircraft, and may not pass over, under, or ahead of another aircraft unless well clear.
On August 31, Trooper 1 and Trooper 3 responded to a fatal crash on I-70 in Howard County with the Shock Trauma GO Team. During the incident, a trooper on the ground spotted a UAS flying over both medevacs. The operator was never identified.
Maryland allows for both manned and unmanned flights. UAS pilots are required to check Temporary Flight Restrictions and comply with appropriate authorizations for controlled airspace. Airspace awareness can be checked on one of the Federal Aviation Administration-approved Before You Fly applications. Sporting events such as Ravens, Commanders, and Orioles home games have Temporary Flight Restrictions that prohibit UAS.
UAS operators are reminded that to operate a drone recreationally, a Recreational UAS Safety Test certification is required. The test provides education on important safety and regulatory information and can be found here. More information on UAS operations can be found here. - PDF - 614.92 KB
