I remember thinking how cool it was. Some students at an exalted university whose name I forget had taken what looked like kids' toys and thrown chips and software and logic and all the other stuff that nerds in the early part of this century were consumed by and created an aerial dance choreographed by a million keystrokes and performed in the still air of a gymnasium.
Of all the reporting, I constantly see mentioned the FBI, local law enforcement, and once in a while DHS. I see little mention of, and have yet to see a comment from the FAA.
I’ve been reading public comments on the subject and one thing is clear. Joe Public has close to zero knowledge of GA. A handful may have a general idea of what a “sessna” is, but zero knowledge of CFR/FARs or drones.
The media is no help. Drones flying over “sensitive areas”. Well, was it really “over” something “sensitive” or, was it near something “sensitive”. And what is “sensitive”? Was it or was it not in Restricted or Prohibited airspace? Over a military base? Really? Was it a base or arsenal? What’s the airspace above this “base”.
Joe public believes that drones can only be flown during the day, in your own backyard, with FAA permission, on a flight plan, in constant voice communication, by a licensed pilot, and if it flies over my house the sheriff says I can shoot it down because he’s the sheriff of the airspace.
So, not another word from the FBI, DHS or local law enforcement please. I want to hear from someone in charge of the National Airspace System. Not to tell us “what’s going on”, but a PSA of basic fundamentals on the rules and regulations of aviation in general, and drones in particular. The public can not imagine going down to the untowered county airport, hopping in an airplane, taking off without radio, without flight plan and telling no one, and flying over or near “sensitive areas” and it be legal. No wonder the public is in a panic.
Correction, Joe Public thinks everyone else has to do that, but they can fly their toy drone around wherever they want.
And also a reminder that shining a laser pointer at the “drones” will not take it down but may temporarily blind the pilot of a legally-flying aircraft, and that it’s a federal offense to do so with big fines if they’re found. Because I just had that happen to me the other night while out flying.
The current situation with drone sightings and public panic reflects a mix of genuine concerns and rampant misinformation. With media and politicians acting like hyenas in the wild, circling and tearing into the chaos for their own gain, the public is left in a feeding frenzy of fear and speculation. Sensationalized stories and opportunistic political statements fuel hysteria rather than providing clarity or solutions, deepening confusion about what is actually happening in the skies.
To counter this, agencies like the FAA, Homeland Security, and law enforcement need to step up as the voices of authority, informing the public with facts and transparency. The drone industry and local leaders must also engage to educate communities and dispel misconceptions. Without clear, unified communication, this frenzy will only worsen, overshadowing the real benefits and manageable risks of drone integration. This is just the beginning of anti-drone hysteria.
All of this “panic” could easily be avoided if whoever is in charge of these drones would make a simple statement about what is going on. Whether it is a training exercise or a search for a lost nuke, for heaven’s sake someone say something. This silence is stupid.
That presumes that it’s a government agency in charge of them, which I suspect is not the case (unless they’re part of some super secret black program, in which case you’d think they would be flying them out in the desert where they normally fly such things).
Maybe there are some foreign adversay drones flying around, but I suspect most of the ones that aren’t just misidentified aircraft or planets or satellites are just some idiots trying to have fun.
H.G. Wells must be choking with laughter at this War of the worlds hysteria engulfing North America at the moment. If or when we discover a credible threat we’ll then be able to deal with it. The probable truth is that lots of people have bought these items without knowing or caring about proper operation and whatever airspace restrictions apply. This issue might just peak a week or two after Christmas when the batteries run low. It would be a field day for bad actors if this grows in volume, but I don’t think that’s probable—we’ll see.
To be clear here: I am not discounting your comment, not making a political statement, nor calling you a poo-poo-head or attempting to disparage you in any way.
However, in my opinion:
If whoever is in charge made a statement, “nobody” would believe them.
“They are ours”:Don’t believe you
“They are aliens from outer space”: Don’t believe you
“They are from Iran”: Don’t believe you
“Most are misidentified airliners”: Don’t believe you
“They are delivering toys to all the good boys and girls” I do NOT believe you.
At this point, telling us what they are and what they are doing will yield very little.
So then, please, a PSA from the FAA of what “normal” drone operations are. What is legal. What are the types of airspace. Explain how the CFR/FARs are worded: “Ye shall not do X!(unless and until thou dost Y)”
I don’t expect the public to pass the written, but have some idea of the world around them.
Good point however, let’s follow that thought a little further:
Which Law Enforcement Agency? And, are we then going to allow that agency and those officers to interpret and enforce the CFR/FARs as it pertains to the National Airspace System?
It’s worse than that; the public has nearly zero knowledge of aviation, period. Ask yourself why we are not hearing about drone sightings during the day? I’ve seen post after post on social media with photos and videos of “drones” that are clearly manned aircraft. One “news” report showed a reporter commenting on a “drone” flying over head. The camera operator zoomed in and the “drone” clearly had engines on nacelles hanging from wings. The reporter noted that he had seen some SIXTY such drones in the previous hour. Who wants to bet he was standing under the approach course for a major airport?
The overwhelming majority of the videos I’ve seen showing “drones” do not include audio. Why? My guess is because the drones sound remarkably like regular airplanes.
Whatever the outcome of this latest round of lights-in-the-sky! is be aware that predictions call for more than 700,000 hobby drones to appear under trees next week. Had one slam a hangar row end just recently and of course wasn’t claimed, so heads on swivels everywhere, even walking to the hangar head lol.
Billy Buckshot and his trusty ole 12 ga. have an effective range of about 100 yds. Do I really need to explain any further. Now, if we’re talking S.A.M.’s, well, that’s a different story. Try not to bend your brain to much on this one.
Is someone standing outside your house looking in your window any different? If there’s a drone hovering outside your house less than a 100 yds. away, guess what Billy Buchshot is going to do. Most hunters can’t even hit a deer while it is standing still with a 12ga. at 50 yds. Remember “War of the Worlds?”
This whole conversation is a complete waste of time when what we should really be worried about is Godzilla rising up out of the depths on the Jersey shore. We must re-align our priorities.