Near miss wth a helicoptor

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Worried1

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I had a polework lesson yesterday, not on Diva thank god! I had just got on and was walking round when a helicoptor from the farm opposite flew round, very low, right over the school and swung round to land in his field opposite.

It was so low it can't have been more than 60 ft above us. The noise was deafening and as expected the horse I was riding absolutely flipped!

I am not very brave and have been know to dismount at the twitch of an ear!

The helicoptor moved away and landed and I managed to stay on and calm him down - it was hard to tell who was more traumatised him or me!

I then had a really good lesson but it could have been very different.

Later on OH was riding Diva and the helicoptor came over again, not as low and not right over us but still low enough for us to tell him to get off and fast!!!!! We have this one on video.

We rang the police who put us in touch with the civil avaition authority and we are waiting for them to get back to us.

I don't understand the mentality of these people, it must have been obvious to the pilot of the effect the helicoptor had on my poor horse yet the continues to fly right at us.

I'm all for having a blast in a helicoptor but in the right place at the right time! The same reason I don't hammer through the woods on my horses frightening dog walkers and families.

Rant over! thank you
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Blimey, nasty one. Given past events (rider killed when horse spooked by helicopter in 2006, I think) people should be more aware. Are there noise abatement issues you can take up with the council too? We have small planes and choppers over us regularly, I shake my fist and swear at them (although they are not low flying) they probably think I am really friendly! Glad you managed to calm him down.
 
Most helo pilots probably are not aware of the chaos they cause.

My oH flies one and I have been a passanger many times.

They are usually doing different things with each hand and each foot as well as talking on the radio at the same time. Also you can't always see straight down underneath you.

Pop over and have a chat with them. He will probably be horrified that he caused a problem and will try to avoid you in future.
 
We are planning to speak to him but as a rider and owner of a livery yard I really thought he would have known better.

TBH it was so out of character and having previously flown around us for many years we are actually wondering if someone else was 'having a go'
 
Just to add that not all pilots are so blind, I was once leading a very hot mare up to a paddock when a helicopter came in very low towards us. Amazingly the pilot saw me and crazy horse, slowed right down and changed direction! I couldn't beleive it, but was very very thankful!
 
Don't hold your breath waiting to hear from the CAA - they are very good at 'losing' letters.
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I would pop over and see him and ask him to always let you know when he intends taking off or landing using a flight path that takes him over or close to you.

He should normally be able to give you at least 20 minutes notice as it takes that long to get the pre- checks, engine and CAA clearance sorted out.

The Civil Aviation Authority do take complaints of this nature very seriously.
 
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