U.S. drone rules expected to be in place for early 2016

S. pilots in the country so far this year have been more than double last year, said the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA), raising concerns that a fatal collision may occur should regulations continue to fall short of requirement. So far this year, more than 650 have already been reported.

On Sunday, four airline crews reported seeing drones while approaching Newark Liberty global Airport in New Jersey at 2,000 to 3,000 feet in the air.

Given that drones are becoming more popular, hardier and cheaper, aviation authorities across the world will have to confront risky use head on if safe air travel is to be maintained. The FAA wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is unsafe and illegal. Lawmakers and privacy activists immediately criticized the police secrecy, which came after a number of other police drone prosposals crashed, and the SJPD never deployed the UAV.

Even without a collision, near-flying drones can distract pilots. The agency is also supporting the National Interagency Fire Center’s “If You Fly, We Can’t” efforts to help reduce interference with firefighting operations.

“If they’re not used at the proper altitude or coordination, in the wrong situations, they can be catastrophic and cause a horrific accident”, said Amos.

“However, the FAA also is working closely with the law enforcement community to identify and investigate unauthorized unmanned aircraft operations”. The agency has levied civil penalties for several unauthorized flights around the country, and has dozens of open enforcement cases.

This week the Los Angeles Times reported that a medical helicopter rushing a snake-bite victim to a nearby Fresno hospital almost had a run-in with a drone.

The FAA had placed a ban on flying drones near an aircraft. That’s on top of a federal license they’re required to get from the FAA, which is developing guidelines to allow commercial drone use nationwide.