Incident with the Drone Pilot
Please check it out, told you I’m taking the Drone up mate, take it down mate honestly, take it down now. You’re interfering with an aircraft mate and you’re not meant to fly an aircraft. You’re interfering with an aircraft capable, not capable of flying. That thing get out of my space right now: no you’ve just interfered with an aircraft mate which is an offense. It’s not, yes, it is. It’s not. I’ll be calling the police on you now call the police on me, mate cuz. I have not assaulted you in any way you just touched me mate. I never touched you. I touch that still assault, not assault. Yes.
Reaction to the DJ Media Visit to Garmin
Welcome back Squad to another video, and I wanted to do a reaction video to the DJ media. A recent visit to Garmin. This video is about the scourge of people who think it’s acceptable to try and assault or distract or throw drone controllers out of Pilots’ hands. I made a video a couple of months ago when it happened to DJ audits. Now, DJ audits is somebody who splits opinion and, I think that’s primarily a good thing because I think in life, it’s good to have different opinions, and I think the fact that he’s got really strong supporters over on one side and really strong dis-supporters. I don’t want to call haters, but he does have quite a few haters on the other side and I think that’s good.
The Importance of Consistency in Drone Operations
I think that’s really where you want to be. You can’t please all the people all of the time, and if you are pleasing everybody, then your opinion or your thoughts or how you’re putting things out is probably wavering from video to video.
Garmin’s Lack of Knowledge in Drone Operations
DJ media recently visited Garmin, known for their GPS manufacturing as well as being a major player in avionics. While one wouldn’t expect Garmin to know everything about the Drone code, basic knowledge is crucial in ensuring safety. However, in a recent incident, a Garmin employee attempted to interfere with a professional drone pilot’s operation.
The Recklessness of Attempting to Snatch the Controller
As soon as the drone took off, the person tried to snatch or knock the controller out of the pilot’s hand. This reckless behavior could have resulted in the drone losing control and potentially causing a major issue, such as hitting power lines. It is important for individuals to refrain from such actions to avoid endangering aircraft and bystanders.
The Dangerous Incident
Recently, a video surfaced of a drone pilot dangerously flying a drone near power lines, putting an aircraft in danger. This reckless behavior is not only irresponsible but also illegal.
Lack of Awareness
It is astonishing how some individuals fail to understand the potential risks associated with drone flying. The idea that one can operate a drone near power lines or aviation paths without consequences is simply negligent.
Pressure from Above
Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the drone pilot was under pressure from a director who seemed to be dictating his actions over the phone. This kind of authoritative behavior is not only unprofessional but also endangers lives.
Responsibility of Avionics Manufacturers
Garmin, the avionics manufacturer involved in this incident, should take responsibility for putting their employee in such a precarious position. It is essential for companies to provide proper training and guidance to their employees to avoid situations like the one in the video.
Legalities of Airspace
It is crucial for individuals, especially those in positions of authority, to understand that airspace above buildings is legally accessible for drone pilots. Respecting these laws is essential to ensure the safety of both drone operators and air traffic.
Concerns Over Auditors’ Behavior
It is clear from the account provided that the auditors’ behavior was questionable and seemed to have escalated the situation unnecessarily. The conversation started off on a decent note but quickly turned sour when the employee decided to proceed with a task despite being asked not to. This raises concerns about the auditors’ intentions and how they handle such situations.
Call for Retraining
The professional drone pilot suggests that the director of Garmin should undergo retraining to better handle such situations in the future. Instead of engaging in confrontational behavior and provoking reactions, a more structured and calm approach is necessary. It is essential for the director to have the right support and guidance to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Importance of Accountability
Accountability is key in ensuring that such incidents do not repeat themselves. The director of Garmin must take responsibility for his actions and learn from this experience. It is crucial for companies like Garmin to uphold high standards of professionalism and ensure that their employees, especially those in leadership positions, are well-equipped to handle challenging situations.
Preventing Future Incidents
To prevent future incidents like this, it is important for companies to have clear guidelines and protocols in place for handling auditors and other external stakeholders. Communication and conflict resolution skills are essential for maintaining a positive working relationship and avoiding unnecessary escalations. By addressing the root cause of the issue and implementing corrective measures, companies can safeguard against similar incidents in the future.
DJ’s Approach
I shouldn’t call him DJ, but Craig is completely wrong in everything he’s doing. If an order was to turn up the day after that video was filmed, I dare say they would react in exactly the same way. I will give DJ credit on this particular video for not necessarily poking the bear. He gave a little bit of information across and still held some back. That’s what auditors do. He wasn’t particularly in the guy’s face or massively evasive with the answers he gave.
Professional Conduct
It is important to note that DJ demonstrated professionalism by handling the situation calmly and giving the individual he confronted an opportunity to rectify the situation. By offering a chance for an apology and resolution without involving authorities, DJ showcased his ability to manage potentially confrontational scenarios in a composed manner.
Educating Others
Through his actions, DJ also highlighted the importance of proper communication and conflict resolution skills. By setting boundaries and providing a clear path to resolution, he demonstrated how individuals can address challenging situations without escalating them further.
The Importance of Skillset
It is evident that the individual in question lacked the skills to handle the confrontation effectively. This serves as a reminder of the importance of possessing the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate difficult situations professionally and responsibly.
Handling of the Situation
In any way, shape or form everybodys got different skills. The guy clearly had or didn’t have any skills to deal with the situation that had been forced in by the director. He shouldn’t have reacted the way that he reacted, and I dare say he’ll never do that. Hopefully, he’ll stop continually closing the Gap when somebody moves away from him as well. That was quite uncomfortable to watch, and hopefully everybody takes it as a learning lesson now.
Professional Opinion
Like I said, there are things DJ, I think really does need to take learning lessons. I’ve had numerous emails from numerous people asking for my professional opinion and to do a reaction video about his thought Park video. I’m not going to do that. There are clearly things in that that I dare say other people will take forward. I don’t need to cause any controversy in that whatsoever. I try to make this a fun and enjoyable place, but when these things do happen, I always want to react to them because I think it’s really important, and I think we all need to learn from it.
Professional Conduct
I’ll give DJ credit, and I will actually say that he did nothing wrong on this video. He went down to do some public filming. He gave a little bit of information. He was as cordial and nice to the guy as he possibly could and then at the end he said, “Okay, well, look I’m just going to fly because you’ve been on the phone for ages.”
The Incident
It’s clear from the video evidence that the airspace was indeed clear when the incident occurred. The fact that the individual involved apologized is commendable, as not everyone would have done so. However, it is evident that he lacked the necessary skills for the job he was performing.
The Culprit
The real culprit in this situation seems to be the director at Garmin, who may have made poor decisions that led to this endangerment of an aircraft. It is essential for Garmin to closely examine the actions of this director and the team under him to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
The Response
By creating reaction videos and calling out instances where safety is compromised, professional drone pilots like myself aim to hold individuals and companies accountable for their actions. In this particular case, the blame falls squarely on Garmin, an avionics manufacturer that made a significant mistake.
Garmin Should Know Better
It is concerning to see a company like Garmin, who operates in the aerospace industry and general aviation, endangering an aircraft due to negligence. As a professional drone pilot, it is essential to follow strict guidelines and regulations to ensure the safety of all airspace users. Garmin should have been aware of the rules and regulations regarding airspace clearance above their building.
Educating the Individual
When faced with a situation where an individual poses a risk to aircraft due to their actions, it is crucial to handle it with patience and education. Instead of resorting to confrontation or aggression, as a professional drone pilot, I believe in using the opportunity to educate the individual. Offering a chance to apologize and learn from their mistake can make a significant impact and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Promoting Drone Safety
As a drone pilot, one of our responsibilities is to promote drone safety and awareness. By engaging in constructive conversations and education, we can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts between drone pilots and other airspace users. It is essential to advocate for safe and responsible drone flying practices to ensure the safety of everyone in the skies.
The Importance of Communication
Effective communication plays a crucial role in resolving conflicts and addressing safety concerns in the aviation industry. By encouraging open dialogue and mutual respect between drone pilots, avionics manufacturers, and other airspace users, we can work together to create a safer and more harmonious airspace environment. Collaboration and understanding are key to preventing unnecessary risks and accidents.
It is vital for companies in the aviation industry to prioritize safety above all else. Instances like these serve as a reminder of the importance of proper training, oversight, and decision-making. By learning from mistakes and taking corrective actions, we can prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
As a professional drone pilot, it is vital to respond to incidents like the one involving Garmin with a focus on education and safety. By promoting drone safety, advocating for responsible flying practices, and fostering open communication, we can create a safer and more cooperative airspace for all users. Let’s work together towards a future where incidents of endangerment are rare, and safety is paramount in the skies.
