Unexpected Helicopter Encounter During Drone Flight at Curtis Hixon Park Tampa Fl

Dom7785

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An interesting incident took place today at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. I’ve flown my drone in various locations around Tampa without any issues, but I had never flown there before. The park is a beautiful, open space, and after checking both the Air Aware and Air Control apps, I confirmed it was clear airspace with a few yellow caution zones in well-known areas.



Seizing the opportunity, I decided to take my drone out for a flight. I launched it and flew at an altitude of around 50m. After only about three minutes in the air, a black helicopter suddenly appeared and headed straight for my drone, closing in to within approximately 20m Reacting quickly, I maneuvered the drone to a lower altitude of about 100 feet and began flying it back to my location manually.



The helicopter then passed directly over me and hovered there for about 30 seconds before flying away. I didn’t engage in any reckless behavior, but the situation certainly put my piloting skills and nerves to the test. It felt as if they were ready to force my drone out of the sky.



I stayed for a while, expecting a police officer or some other official to approach me for a conversation, but no one did. After the helicopter departed, it never returned. I suppose they were just doing their job, but the experience was intimidating enough to make me think twice about flying there again. Definitely more intimidation than I expected! Has anyone experienced any incidents with law enforcement while flying?
 
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Just out of curiosity, what drone were you flying?
 
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Just out of curiosity, what drone were you flying?
I think I know the reason behind the encounter; Hillary Clinton was speaking at an event downtown Tampa. I was flying in that general area at the exact time. They probably got a notice that someone was operating a drone and went out to investigate.
 
Perhaps there was a TFR in place that you were not aware of?
 
They had no flight restrictions in Tampa yesterday. However Hilary Clinton was speaking at the Straz center at the time I was flying which I was not aware till later. Curious if the helicopter was dispatched as a result to ID the situation. They didn’t stay long on me just enough to locate the drone and where I was. They certainly wanted to be known and it was enough for me to pack up.
 
I think I know the reason behind the encounter; Hillary Clinton was speaking at an event downtown Tampa. I was flying in that general area at the exact time. They probably got a notice that someone was operating a drone and went out to investigate.
yes, that is most likely why.
 
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@Dom7785, @GFields

I do not believe that the authorities would send out a helicopter to investigate a drone flying. That would put the helicopter at risk. Authorities would send out cars to investigate. The helicopter pilot probably saw the drone and was merely "pissed" that there was one flying so close to Tampa International Airport.

Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa is a LAANC Controlled Airspace and is adjacent to a Class B Airspace with a 100' restriction. The OP says he was flying at 50-meters (over 160 feet…), so the helicopter was well within their altitude of operation and the OP was pressing his luck if he was actually in the LAANC controlled airspace and not in the 100-foot quadrant.

Now the hard question, did the OP Have a LAANC Clearance?
 

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