Sharing the sky<\/p>\n
Vegetation is starting to grow again: there will be many operations to monitor and control the
\ngrowth of plants (agriculture, forestry, pruning, etc.). As a
\ntelepilot, I’m going to be working more frequently in areas that are not inhabited, at least on the face of it ….
\nMoving away from built-up and populated areas means reducing the risk to third parties, but
\nwhat about wildlife, and more particularly the birds with whom we
\nshare the skies? <\/p>\n
When Regulation takes a back seat to Discernment
\nThe regulations associated with drone flights in natural areas (protected or not) are
\npresented in the Guides on open and specific categories published by the DGAC [1,2]. In order to
\nsupplement the information provided therein, it is possible to rely on the webinar “Les vols de
\ndrones en espaces naturels” [3], the result of collaboration between the LPO, the Parc National des Pyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and
\nClearance, which addresses, in addition to the regulatory texts in force, the interactions between drones
\nand wildlife. <\/p>\n
Once we’ve identified the natural area in which our drone will be operating, and in around 75% of cases
\nthere are no restrictions concerning wildlife, caution and good practices to
\nadopt are our best allies in minimizing the effects of drone flights on birds
\n(collisions, attacks, stress, nest abandonment, etc.). Indeed, the occurrence of a conflict situation
\nwith a species is often totally fortuitous, depending on various factors such as
\nseasonality (migration, nesting), the bird’s activity at the time of the encounter (resting, hunting,
\nmeals, …). Whatever the status of the natural area in which the flight takes place, there can always be
\nconsequences for wildlife! <\/p>\n
Different behaviours depending on the species Keeping a low profile Fly safe!<\/p>\n Sources: Sharing the sky Vegetation is starting to grow again: there will be many operations to monitor and control the growth of plants (agriculture, forestry, pruning, etc.). As a telepilot, I’m going to be working more frequently in areas that are not inhabited, at least on the face of it …. Moving away from built-up and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3343,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"
\nDuring an inspection of the power distribution network, I identified a kestrel
\nflying over my site of operation, gliding in wide circles, without giving me
\nthe impression that my drone was of interest to it.
\nHowever, the circles in the sky narrowed and suddenly the bird of prey moved in the direction
\nof what it had certainly identified as an intruder in its territory. He made several intimidating
\nIndeed, the heron, usually placid and silent, will of course
\ndefend its territory and its offspring with firmness and determination, when the need arises.
\nAnd it’s the difference between these attitudes that surprises the telepilot responsible for the disturbance.
\nThe animal’s wingspan is in the region of 1.50m to 2m, which is much larger than many of the
\ndrones used in operation, and if we add to this a jerky flight around the drone, accompanied by shrill cries,
\nthe surprise is considerable. The heron’s hostile behavior will continue until the intruder has left.
\nMuch more impressive than a flight of pigeons, given the animal’s wingspan and cries of
\n, it’s obvious that the best course of action is to turn back.
\nMore frequently, flying in the countryside sometimes brings us close to farms,
\nhome to groups of pigeons. As the drone approaches, these will take flight and
\nThe above examples of interactions with wildlife show that
\nbird reactions are always the result of disturbance to their ongoing activities, and they
\nlet us know in their own way. It is therefore important for remote pilots to first measure
\nwill enable us to observe its reactions before and after the change of trajectory, speed, etc.
\nBirds are also endowed with adaptive faculties and can sometimes accept our presence
\nif they don’t feel threatened.
\nIn short, don’t insist on making the situation worse. <\/p>\n
\n[1] Guide ” Usages de loisir et professionnels simplifi\u00e9s des a\u00e9ronefs sans \u00e9quipage \u00e0 bord – Cat\u00e9gorie
\nouverte ”
\n[2] Guide ” Usage des a\u00e9ronefs sans \u00e9quipage \u00e0 bord – Cat\u00e9gorie sp\u00e9cifique ”
\n[1] Webinar ” Les vols de drones en espaces naturels ” produced by the LPO, the Parc National des
\nPyr\u00e9n\u00e9es and Clearance on March 23, 2023<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"