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FAA and FBI Investigating UAV Sightings Near JFK

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Key Takeaways:

  • Airline pilots reported multiple drone sightings near John F. Kennedy International Airport at altitudes up to 3,000 feet, far exceeding FAA regulations that prohibit drones from flying above 400 feet or within five miles of an airport.
  • These incidents, including one drone coming within feet of a Delta Air Lines plane, are being investigated by the FAA and FBI due to the serious potential threat they pose to aviation safety.
  • The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently classified drones as aircraft, strengthening the FAA's authority to enforce regulations and prosecute operators for reckless flying.
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Drones once again made headlines last week after several airline pilots flying around John F. Kennedy International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world with more than 400,000 annual aircraft movements, spotted at least one drone flying around the airport property at altitudes as high as 3,000 feet, according to a statement from the FAA.

FAA regulations prohibit model aircraft, the rules of which drones fall under unless they are used for commercial purposes, from flying higher than 400 feet or closer than five miles from an airport, and the aircraft must remain within line of sight of the operator.

Pia Bergqvist

Pia Bergqvist joined FLYING in December 2010. A passionate aviator, Pia started flying in 1999 and quickly obtained her single- and multi-engine commercial, instrument and instructor ratings. After a decade of working in general aviation, Pia has accumulated almost 3,000 hours of flight time in nearly 40 different types of aircraft.

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