The Paranormal, UFO's, and Mysteries of the Unknown

Moogalak said:

Spoke with an air force buddy about this. He's saying all the drones he's seen in videos and whatnot have approved FAA lighting, so it's gotta be some amateurs.

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Yes, in most circumstances, air traffic controllers must be aware of your presence in the sky, especially if you're flying in controlled airspace. The rules governing this depend on the type of airspace you’re flying in and the operational conditions, such as weather or altitude. Here's a breakdown:

1. Controlled Airspace (Class A, B, C, D, and E):
   • In controlled airspace, you must communicate with air traffic control (ATC) and often receive clearance to operate, particularly in Class B, C, and D airspace.
   • For flights in Class A airspace (generally above 18,000 feet in the U.S.), all aircraft must operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), even if the weather is clear, and must be in constant communication with ATC.
2. Uncontrolled Airspace (Class G):
   • In uncontrolled airspace, such as Class G, you are not required to communicate with ATC, but you are responsible for maintaining safe separation from other aircraft.
   • Pilots often use self-announcing procedures over common frequencies to improve situational awareness.
3. Transponder Requirements:
   • In many cases, you must have an operational transponder with altitude encoding capability (Mode C) when flying in certain airspace (e.g., within a 30-nautical-mile radius of a Class B airport, above 10,000 feet MSL, or in Class C airspace).
   • This allows ATC to track your position even if you’re not in direct communication.
4. See-and-Avoid Responsibility:
   • Regardless of ATC communication, pilots always have a fundamental "see-and-avoid" responsibility to prevent collisions.
5. Special Use Airspace:
   • If you plan to fly in or near restricted or prohibited areas, or Military Operations Areas (MOAs), coordination with ATC or the controlling agency is typically required.
6. Flight Following:
   • In uncontrolled airspace, you can voluntarily request flight following from ATC, which helps increase situational awareness by allowing ATC to provide traffic advisories.

In summary, while ATC awareness of your flight depends on the type of airspace and your operation, it’s generally advisable and often required to ensure your presence is known to minimize collision risks and enhance safety for all aircraft.

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