FOOTLOOSE AND…
In Sag Harbor, N.Y., recently, a remote-controlled drone caught fire and flew into the sides of two buildings before crashing onto the street. “It could have been a lot worse,” said Sag Harbor Police Sgt. Rob Drake, indicating that no injuries were recorded. “Usually there are a lot of people walking in the evening.”
It has been over a year since the Federal Aviation Administration was directed to develop rules and regulations to control the ever-expanding drone world. How much time does it take to figure out rules and regulations for what is almost certain to cause a major loss of life any day now, after many near misses?
For example, in May, a flight heading to LaGuardia International Airport had to quickly climb 200 feet to avoid a collision with an errant drone.
The same day as the Sag Harbor incident, FAA Deputy Administrator Mike Whitaker testified to Congress that there may be a “steep increase in reports of small, unmanned aircraft in close proximity to airports.” Thus, now the FAA will evaluate detection technology developed by a defense contractor which claims “it accurately detects, identifies and tracks aerial drones and their ground-based operators.”
The report should be researched immediately. What greater impetus does the FAA need than the fact that in September, an errant drone crashed into the (fortunately empty at the moment) stands at the United States Open Tennis Championships during a match in progress.
This is one time when you and I should write our representatives and demand action. Any day, and at any hour, a drone calamity is one huge threat!
