In recent months, there have been several alarming incidents involving drones and commercial aircraft, raising significant concerns about safety in our skies. In November, as a passenger plane approached San Francisco International Airport, the crew noticed a drone zoom by their window, narrowly missing them by less than 300 feet. Just a month earlier, pilots near Miami had a similar encounter at 4,000 feet, while in August, a drone came frighteningly close to a passenger jet’s wing departing from Newark Airport.
These events are not isolated; they are part of a troubling trend. An analysis revealed that last year, drones were involved in nearly two-thirds of reported near misses with commercial aviation at the 30 busiest airports in America. This surge in incidents represents the highest rate of such encounters since 2020 when flights were significantly reduced due to the pandemic.
Drones have been a growing concern for the last several years. Since 2014, when near misses started being documented, reports of such incidents have steadily climbed. In fact, drones were behind 51% — that’s 122 out of 240 — of the reported near misses over the past decade.
The uptick in drone usage, fueled by their popularity among hobbyists and commercial users, has heightened the risk, especially near airports. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimates that over a million drones are operated across the country. Experts warn that the accessibility of advanced drones allows almost anyone to fly them at heights that can interfere with airplanes.
Despite regulations that prohibit most drones from flying near airports, enforcement of these rules is challenging. Many drone users may not even be aware of the limitations. While the FAA mandates registration for certain drones, and requires them to carry a transponder to indicate their location, experts argue that more proactive measures are needed.
The FAA is testing ways to detect and manage drones around airports, exploring options like jamming signals to force drones to land or using directed energy to disable them. Some experts suggest that implementing a system similar to speed cameras could help capture drone violations more effectively.
In a concerning development, DJI, a leading drone manufacturer, recently ended its geofencing feature, which had previously prevented drones from flying in restricted areas. This change raises questions about safety, especially since no other manufacturers have stepped in to provide such safeguards.
Moreover, authorities must hold drone operators accountable for violations. Recent arrests in Boston and other incidents involving drones operating dangerously close to aircraft have highlighted the need for stronger enforcement to deter reckless behavior.
As drone technology continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly important for regulatory bodies and manufacturers to work together to ensure the skies remain safe for all. The threat drones pose, particularly in the vicinity of airports, cannot be ignored, and responsible drone ownership and stricter regulations are vital for maintaining aviation safety.
