Carilion: Keep drones away from medical helicopters

Carilion Clinic warned Tuesday against flying drones near medical helicopters, saying there have been two minor encounters so far this year. Where medical helicopters land and take off, whether at hospitals or in the field, is no place for a drone, the Carilion personnel said. Gathered at their Roanoke hangar, air ambulance pilots offered a public safety announcement: "When in doubt, land the drone." While admitting they don't control the actions of drone operators, the Carilion medical helicopter team called on drone owners to voluntarily avoid medevac operations. There's too much potential for conflict between the serious business of emergency medicine and hobbyists shooting video to put on the web or have as a keepsake, officials said.