Do you own a drone? You should know that drones are forbidden to fly near airports. Some people aren’t getting the memo.
According to the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration), three airlines saw drones come dangerously close to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey. There were no injuries or disruptions. There wasn’t even a need for the three airlines to take any kind of action. But the drone scare was enough to cause alarm. The three airlines affected were Express Jet, Northwest Airlink, and United Airlines. These airlines reported the drones were at altitudes between 2,000-3,000 feet high. That’s high enough to possibly interfere with landing or departing aircraft. I’m not the only one who thinks so. One passenger stated how frighting it was that these objects could cause danger to lives aboard flights. Other drones have been seen flying around New York City airports like Laguardia and JFK in recent weeks. The most severe case was on July 31, 2015. Two planes saw a drone coming near them at JFK. A drone flew a quarter mile from a Delta flight from Orlando. A Jet Blue flight from Haiti had a drone come within 800 feet away from them while they were still in the air.
This is disturbing and needs to be fixed…yesterday. I know what the FAA law says. But that law isn’t worth a wooden nickel if it’s not being enforced. Let me speak to drone owners. I plea with you: that law is there for a reason. What if a drone did distract a major airline carrier with 200 or so passengers? Think about the tragedy that could take place. Do you want that innocent blood on your hands? Should the FAA do a better job to enforce these rules and find the culprits doing this? Why must we always wait for a tragedy, especially when tragedy can be prevented?