Detailing Drone Dilemma I was the pilot in charge of a recent U.S.-based airline Boeing 777 Hong Kong-U.S. flight. On reaching 31,000-ft. initial cruising altitude, Hong Kong informed us of an unidentified aircraft. The controller was seeing a “primary radar image” aimed at us. (Our route was to overfly Taiwan and Japan and arc over the Pacific.) This unknown aircraft was not broadcasting a transponder signal, so the controller was unable to provide accurate altitude information; he passed along an estimate that it was in the “high 30s” with an estimated speed of 350 kt.
Luckily the weather was clear, because the aircraft was not displayed on our Traffic Collision Avoidance System. We visually sighted its single exhaust contrail ahead and determined that a collision was not imminent because of our lower altitude.
I had a clear view of a small non-swept-wing, single-jet-engine military drone. Had we been at the same altitude, our minimal lateral separation would have led to a near miss measured in tens of feet or have resulted in an outright collision.
When I queried the controller as to the drone’s country of origin, he theorized its mission was to photograph the Spratly Islands south of Hong Kong—an island group with disputed ownership claimed by many nations. Based on my visual observation and research, Taiwan likely was the origin of the drone because the Spratlys are at the end of a straight course from Taiwan, and we were on that course.
The drone’s controllers made no attempt to avoid civilian airways. I am grateful that the Hong Kong controller was so vigilant.
Strangely, my much more detailed official report on the incident has fallen on deaf ears. Whether due to political ramifications or the fact that, even if noted, there is little pilot organizations can do about it, neither my airline, the FAA nor the Air Line Pilots Association has responded to my report.
The incident demonstrated a flagrant disregard for human life and International Civil Aviation Organization rules. It is my hope that publishing this information will somehow end unacceptable military drone flight operations on or close to civilian airways—before a disaster occurs.
Name withheld by request
Location Withheld by Request