Drones present escalating peril to commercial airlines in proximity to significant American airports.
Revamped Rant: A Threat in Skies Unseen
Listen up folks! The skies are getting a whole lot more perilous, and it's all thanks to drones. Remember that close call for a commercial airliner near San Francisco's international airport? Yep, that was no mere coincidence. In fact, drones accounted for nearly two-thirds of reported near-misses involving commercial passenger planes taking off and landing at the country's top 30 busiest airports last year!
It's not just a one-time incident, either. In 2014, the first reports of near-misses involving drones were already logged. The number of such encounters spiked the following year, and over the last decade, drones have been involved in a whopping 51% of reported near misses!
And the scariest part? These encounters only represent a portion of near misses because they rely on voluntary submissions from pilots and other aviation workers. So, the actual number is probably much, much higher!
What's going on here? Well, it turns out that drones have become the new craze, with Americans operating over a million drones for recreational and commercial purposes. As you can imagine, the risk is most acute near airports because this is where the flight paths of drones and airplanes most overlap.
The FAA has implemented some regulations to mitigate the risks, but it's proving challenging to enforce. They've prohibited nearly all drones from flying near airports without prior authorization, but this rule is hard to enforce, and recreational users may not even be aware of the restrictions.
The agency requires registrations for drones weighing more than 250 grams and such drones are required to carry a radio transponder that identifies the drone's owner and broadcasts its position. Additional rules govern commercial drone use.
The FAA is also testing systems to detect and counter drones near airports. They're exploring the use of radio signals to jam drones or force them to land, as well as considering high-powered microwaves or laser beams to disable the machines.
But there's more that could—and perhaps should—be done. Experts suggest creating a system similar to speed cameras on roadways that could capture a drone's transponder code and send its pilots a ticket in the mail. They also recommend regulations that require all manufacturers to program a drone's GPS unit to prevent it from flying near airports and other sensitive areas (geofencing).
Sadly, one of the leading drone manufacturers, DJI, ended mandatory 'geofencing' restrictions in January 2023. They replaced it with an alert system for drone operators approaching restricted areas, which didn't sit well with experts. With no other manufacturers implementing geofencing, and without government rules requiring it, DJI decided to discontinue the practice.
So, folks, the next time you're in a crowded airport, remember: those little drones buzzing around can pose a serious threat. Let's hope the authorities step up their game and make our skies safer!
- The increased prevalence of drones has led to nearly two-thirds of reported near-misses involving commercial passenger planes at the top 30 busiest airports last year.
- In Seattle, wildfires and heavy traffic often overlap, creating a general-news risk for businesses and job opportunities.
- The FAA is testing drone detection and countermeasure systems to mitigate risks near airports, experimenting with radio signals, high-powered microwaves, and laser beams.
- Experts argue for the implementation of a system similar to speed cameras on roadways that could capture a drone's transponder code and issue tickets to its operator.
- The government should encourage all drone manufacturers to program a GPS unit to prevent unauthorized flights near airports and sensitive areas (geofencing).
- Since the removal of mandatory 'geofencing' restrictions by DJI in January 2023, only an alert system has been implemented for drone operators approaching restricted areas, raising concerns among experts.
- The pervasive use of drones for both recreational and commercial purposes heightens the risks of job losses and economic instability in the event of a drone-related incident or drone-related accident.
