Safety
Device automatically warns pilots of wires and obstacles
Wire strikes–long the bane of low-altitude rotorcraft and agplane operations–could be reduced if a system now undergoing testing on both sides of the Atlan

Wire strikes–long the bane of low-altitude rotorcraft and agplane operations–could be reduced if a system now undergoing testing on both sides of the Atlantic is able to supplement or even replace marker balls and continuously flashing strobes. It could also aid other low-flying aircraft in avoiding any obstacles in the flight path.

The system consists of a radar sensor that detects aircraft entering a predefined warning zone around an obstacle, activating a flashing warning light system. If no evasive action or insufficient evasive action is undertaken by the pilot, a voice/audio warning message is transmitted on all channels in the airborne VHF or optional UHF communication bands.