Helicopter
Flight Crew Private
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 51; Flight Crew Total 220; Flight Crew Type 105
Situational Awareness; Distraction; Confusion; Troubleshooting; Workload
Conflict Airborne Conflict; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Ground Event / Encounter Aircraft; Ground Event / Encounter Object
Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Airport; Procedure; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
On final phase of a flight to TVL. On 3-mile final approach to Taxiway A at TVL from the West (Echo Summit); 36 heading. At approximately 1.5 miles from the approach end of taxiway A; I observed a crowd of approximately 6 people on the ramp just across the grass strip/ditch from the west side of taxiway alpha; near the intersection with F. Since the taxiway itself was clear; and my touchdown point was beyond that intersection; I continued the approach; with caution; and landed near our hangar at the north end of the field. We had been in contact with Oakland Center for the last segment of our flight (from approximately JAQ to Echo Summit); and were not advised of any unusual hazards in the TVL airspace. We had self-announced on the TVL CTAF at several points during the final approach; and heard no response.After landing; my passenger and I went to the TVL terminal; and talked to Mr. X; one of the flight instructors at [an area helicopter flying club]. I learned that a drone had been flying over the taxiway; directly in our approach path; approximately 2-3 minutes before we arrived. It would have posed a serious collision risk for us; but had in fact crashed into a private jet parked on the ramp just as we arrived. He had cell phone video of the drone flight. I told him that we had been talking to Oakland center; and had received no advisories; and asked if he knew whether the operators had permission from Oakland. He told me that he had called Oakland; and was told that they had not been informed. He also told me that the drone operators had been taking photos for compensation; and had told him that they had received permission to operate from the airport manager. However; I doubt that this represents sufficient authority; and I know from my own observation that the operators were not observing the most simple safety precautions such as monitoring and communicating on the CTAF frequency.It is my understanding that the new rules governing unmanned drone flights for commercial purposes prohibit flights near airports without specific authorization from the FAA. Since the operation of this drone in that area posed a serious risk of mid-air collision ; substantial damage to our aircraft; and mortal risk to myself and my passengers; I view this as a very serious incident. I am hoping that the FAA can follow up; and take any action required to prevent a recurrence.
A helicopter pilot reported a commercial UAV operating over CTAF TVL taxiways apparently with a local authority's permission.