Helicopters grounded after drones spotted flying in chopper flight path
By IOL Reporter
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DURBAN - Helicopters at Africa s largest heliport were grounded yesterday after an employee at Ultimate Heliport noticed two drones flying directly in the flight path of the Ultimate Heliport.
A spokesperson for the company said the employee was driving to work when they noticed the two drones. Due to the risk of collision with helicopters and a possible fatal collision between a helicopter and one of the drones, Ultimate Heliport immediately suspended all flights until such time that security officers were able to investigate and the airspace was clear of drone activity, the spokesperson said.
defenceWeb
Written by defenceWeb -
Ultimate Heliport in Midrand.
The Ultimate Heliport in the Waterfall precinct in Midrand was shut down for an hour on Monday after drones were observed flying in the helicopter flight path.
On 3 May shortly after 08:00, an Ultimate Heliport employee reported seeing two drones operating directly in the helicopter flight path of Ultimate Heliport while driving in to work, Ultimate Heli said. Due to the risk of collision with helicopters and a possible fatal collision between a helicopter and one of the drones, Ultimate Heliport immediately suspended all flights until such time that security officers were able to investigate and the airspace was clear of drone activity.
Gauteng heliport grounded by drones that flew into flight path Helicopters used in medical emergencies, tracking of hijacked vehicles and monitoring CIT vehicles were unable to fly for an hour One of the drones that closed the heliport. Image: Ultimate Heliport
A major Gauteng heliport was grounded for an hour after drones allegedly flew directly in the flight paths of two helicopters.
Ultimate Heliport in Midrand was shut on Monday morning after two drones, which were allegedly being used by Hilti SA to take aerial photographs of a corporate function close to the airport, flew into a designated flight path,