Pilots Report More Drone Sightings Throughout 2016
Joe Cortez February 28, 2017
Over 1,000 drone incidents and sightings reported by pilots through first nine months of last year.
The number of drone sightings and incidents across the United States is growing, leaving officials at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) questioning how to reduce those numbers. According to the latest FAA UAS Sightings Report, over 470 drone incidents were reported to the administration by the public and pilots between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2016.
The incidents are not isolated to one particular area of the United States, or to any particular type of airport. The reported situations range from a quadcopter flying at the same altitude as a private aviator in Kingsville, Texas on July 13, to a drone passing under a Delta Air Lines Airbus A320 at Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) on August 30. In total, over 1,200 drone sightings and incidents have been reported to the FAA in the first nine months of 2016. The most drone sightings came during the summer of 2016, when 534 were reported.
When drones operate in the same space as aircraft, the result can create hazardous flying situations for pilots and expensive ground delays for both passengers and airlines. In 2016, Emirates claimed drones were directly responsible for the diversion of 13 flights, costing the airline hundreds of thousands of dollars due to irregular operations and passenger inconvenience.
Although the number of drone sightings has increased, there have been no reports of a drone strike against commercial aircraft. Drone pilots who are found to be operating in restricted air space are subject to fines and imprisonment. The FAA asks the public to report unauthorized drone use to local law enforcement.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
