Military officials say they need restricted training airspace for a planned unmanned aircraft base in Grand Forks, but the FAA says it’s not ready to establish such an airspace in North Dakota.
The helicopter, tail number C-GKCW, landed at a regional airport in Leesburg, Va., after the intrusion. The aircraft is a Bell 206L Long Ranger equipped with spraying bars used for agricultural crop dusting. The helicopter is operated by Sunrise Helicopters, Inc.
The FAA, she charged, has failed to make changes. “We believe if the recommendations were implemented, aviation safety would be improved,” the blunt-speaking Hersman said.Â She said 225 aircraft fly within 3 miles of the crash site every day, and pilots below 1,100 feet are free to choose their routes without monitoring from air-traffic controllers.