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It also strikes me as very strange that Army Blackhawk helicopters operating in this airspace at night are not required to operate with bright external lights
Patrick says
It also strikes me as very strange that Army Blackhawk helicopters operating in this airspace at night are not required to operate with bright external lights
The helo was operating with lights. They are visible on the video of the crash: https://www.foxnews.com/us/video-shows-dc-plane-crash-involving-american-airlines-flight-black-hawk-helicopter
What the hell are helicopters doing flying around airports?
I avoid night flights; I'm afraid now.



"It just seems surreal that an Army Blackhawk helicopter would get in way
of landing path of an American Eagle plane at Reagan National Airport."



Maybe it didn't have a crew, either. Or, maybe a crew that was already killed before takeoff.
Read about the USS John McCain collision which still seems surrounded in a shroud of secrecy.
Helicopter was ordered to return to base, urgently, and did not. Nor did it confirm the message sent repeatedly by ATC. Then ATC told the copter to land.

Helicopter was ordered to return to base, urgently, and did not. Nor did it confirm the message sent repeatedly by ATC. Then ATC told the copter to land.
Not sure what the guy think it means, but AFAIK that ATC request means they are asked to return to the base leg of the pattern.
Can a helicopter be flown remotely?
Yes, a helicopter can be flown remotely, through the use of radio-controlled (RC) technology, where a pilot operates the helicopter using a controller that sends signals to the aircraft, allowing for flight without physically being onboard; this is commonly seen with hobbyist RC helicopters, but also exists in larger, more advanced systems for military and commercial applications.
3. Helicopters operating in the traffic pattern may fly a pattern similar to the fixed-wing aircraft pattern, but at a lower altitude (500 AGL) and closer to the runway. This pattern may be on the opposite side of the runway from fixed-wing traffic when airspeed requires or for practice power-off landings (autorotation) and if local policy permits. Landings not to the runway must avoid the flow of fixed wing traffic.
Can a helicopter be flown remotely?
Yes, a helicopter can be flown remotely, through the use of radio-controlled (RC) technology, where a pilot operates the helicopter using a controller that sends signals to the aircraft, allowing for flight without physically being onboard; this is commonly seen with hobbyist RC helicopters, but also exists in larger, more advanced systems for military and commercial applications.
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Wonder what happened like the helicopter was in an emergency or the pilots were that disoriented at night. They are pro's flying those helicopters in all types of weather and conditions and not have all the latest navigation technology.
Just heard on ABC News that people have been pulled alive out of the Potomac River. Now I am hearing the air traffic controller told the helicopter to fly behind the American Eagle aircraft that was landing.
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