Situational Awareness
ATC Issue All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation - Altitude Excursion From Assigned Altitude; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action; Flight Crew Requested ATC Assistance / Clarification
Human Factors; Procedure; Airspace Structure; Airport
Aircraft X entered the right downwind. A helicopter was working in the right traffic pattern for a taxiway. The helicopter proceeded on the go for the right downwind. I issued traffic to Aircraft X advising him about the helicopter. He reported the traffic in sight and entered the downwind and descended to 900 feet; which is below the pattern altitude for fixed wing as per the Standard Operating Procedures. When Aircraft X got on the ground they advised ground control that they had to make an abrupt maneuver to avoid the helicopter. I would advise the helicopter about Aircraft X; and let Aircraft X know that pattern altitude is 1;100 feet; so in future scenarios they don't descend into traffic that they reported in sight.
I was flying with a student in a training aircraft arriving to land via a right pattern. On entry at 45 degrees to a right down wind I had a red helicopter flying parallel to us further away on the down wind and much slower. We received clearance to land from the Tower while we were on the downwind. As we were about to reach abeam the helicopter; the helicopter made a right turn toward the airport. The student pilot was flying the aircraft. I had to take the control; and abruptly full power climb to avoid the helicopter. We climbed about 200 feet. Subsequently; the student pilot landed the aircraft. I notified the Tower; and had a discussion with the Tower Supervisor.
BED Tower Local Controller and a flight instructor reported a descent below the published pattern altitude resulting in an NMAC.