Helicopter pilot near a Class D airport witnessed a UAS flying in controlled airspace without authorization. The pilot found the UAS pilot and made them aware of the location and the UAS landed.
Synopsis
Helicopter pilot near a Class D airport witnessed a UAS flying in controlled airspace without authorization. The pilot found the UAS pilot and made them aware of the location and the UAS landed.
Narrative
I operate out of the heliport located next to Location A and within the Class Delta airspace of ZZZ. The helicopter was sitting on the heliport as we were waiting for customers to take a tour. My pilot noticed a drone flying around the heliport and Location A grounds. My pilot and myself went to see if we could locate the drone operator; which we were able to find him on the sidewalk of Location A. I spoke with the operator and informed him he shouldn't be flying his drone on Location A property; next to an operating heliport and/or in the Class Delta. He asked Class Delta?; as in he had no idea whatsoever what any airspace was. After our conversation he packed up and was leaving the area.Each year we have multiple drone operators operating around the heliport which presents a major danger to our pilots; passengers; aircraft; observers; vehicles and etc. As many of the operators that we have actually caught up to and spoke with either do not know or simply do not care about the rules and regulations. I think one solution may be geofencing or something of that nature to keep them from flying in the area of Location A and the heliport.
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.