As new rules are being drafted regarding the use of drones, Congress heard testimony recently of the potential threat including the nearly 200 reports of “near misses.”
The Federal Aviation Administration is putting together its plan to safely integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones into the National Airspace System. The rules are expected later this year.
In the meantime, the FAA has been getting 25 reports a month from pilots who either spot a drone during their flight or have to adjust their flight path to avoid one.
Of the nearly 200 pilot sightings reported in the last four months, two were in the San Diego County region.
One, in El Cajon, involved a quad copter type UAS with lights operating at 700 feet on Sept. 26. A citizen called that one in to the Transportation Security Operations Center, which monitors the nation's airspace.
However, a month earlier, a pilot of a private plane reported seeing multiple UAS flying at 800 feet less than two miles northeast of the runway at Carlsbad airport.
Other incidents in California included a pilot’s report of a drone at 7,800 feet and another report of a device at 8,000 feet.
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Capt. Lee Moak, President, Airline Pilot’s Association, said there is a need for regulations regarding drones.
“I think many people don’t realize they’re flying them in commercial airspace and it could cause a significant hazard,” Moak said.
He believes drones should not be permitted near airports or in
the flight path used for airport approach.
“Even one near miss, if it was a little left or a little right, could have created a larger problem,” he added.
Drone activist Adam Eidinger believes the government is overreaching in its attempt to regulate drone use.
“It defies common sense,” Eidinger said.
Although he can see reasons for prohibiting drones near high-security locations such as state capitols and the White House, Eidinger thinks there is no harm to flying drones on private property.
“Your chances of getting hurt from one of these things is next to zero,” he said. “You’re more likely to get injured getting in your car. The second you’re in your car, you’re in a risky situation.”
The jump in reports of so-called drone “near misses” has been credited to increased awareness by pilots and the public and better tracking.
While there has been no legal action taken against a drone operator, the FAA has contacted some operators to advise them of current regulations and has issued notices of proposed civil penalties.
