FAA Releases Report Detailing Nearly 200 Drone Sightings Since February - East Idaho News
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FAA Releases Report Detailing Nearly 200 Drone Sightings Since February

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Thinkstock 112714 Drone?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1417099359500estt/iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Federal Aviation Administration released a report on Wednesday detailing 194 drone sightings between February and November.

The FAA said in a statement that it receives approximately 25 reports per month of drone sightings by pilots. Most sightings had little to no impact on pilots, though in some cases, the FAA notes, pilots were forced to alter course to avoid an unmanned craft. At least six of the entries reflect “near misses,” including at least one with a commercial aircraft and at least one other with a medevac helicopter.

Approximately 109 of the reports included drones operating more than 500 feet in the air. About 30 instances involved drones within five miles of airports.

“The FAA is in the process of executing a plan for safe and staged integration of unmanned aircraft into the National Airspace System,” the agency’s statement said. It pointed to increased awareness by pilots and improved reporting and record keeping for the increased number of reports.





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