Timeline of Events

While specific dates for many of the events are unavailable, here’s a chronological overview of the drone sightings and related incidents:

• Mid-November: Drone sightings are reported throughout the tri-state area.
• November 18: New Jersey State Police begin receiving reports of drone sightings.
• Early December: Drones are seen flying over Bernardsville, New Jersey.
• December 5: Multiple drones are observed flying over a neighborhood in the Bronx, New York.
• December 13: U.S. Northern Command states they have not received requests from local law enforcement to assist with the drone situation.
• December 13 (night): Drone activity forces the temporary shutdown of runways at Stewart International Airport in Orange County, New York, for approximately one hour.
• December 14: Governor Kathy Hochul of New York announces the airport shutdown.
• December 14: Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey sends a letter to President Joe Biden requesting more federal resources to investigate the drone sightings.
• December 15: Two individuals are arrested in Boston for flying drones near Logan Airport.
• December 16: New York announces the deployment of the Robin Radar System to track drones and identify operators.
• December 17: A resident in Harwich, Cape Cod, reports seeing 10 to 15 drones over her house.
• Recent days: Governor Larry Hogan reports observing potential drones in Maryland.

Key People Involved

Several individuals and agencies are involved in addressing the drone sightings:

• Governor Kathy Hochul: Governor of New York, actively involved in investigating the drone sightings and coordinating with federal law enforcement. She has called for federal assistance and new legislation to address the issue.
• Governor Phil Murphy: Governor of New Jersey, who has requested more federal resources to investigate the drone sightings in his state.
• Greg Ehrie: Chief security officer of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
• Representative Josh Gottheimer: Lawmaker working to ensure local law enforcement, the FAA, and airports have the necessary tools to address drone activity.
• Senator Chuck Schumer: Pushing for answers and legislation to give local law enforcement more power to investigate unidentified flying objects.
• Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas: Confirmed that the sightings included drones and manned aircraft, and stated that there was no foreign involvement.
• Representative Mike Waltz: Expressed concern that the origin of the drones remains unknown.
• Representative Andy Kim: Called on federal authorities to do more to address public concerns.
• FBI and other agencies: Investigating the drone sightings and working to identify the operators.

Reasons for Airport Shutdown

To ensure the safety of flight operations in response to a drone sighted in the airspace.

If similar drone activity were to occur at Newark Airport, the entire airport would need to be shut down.

Speculation on Drone Operators and Motives

There is no definitive answer as to who is operating the drones or their motives. Some possibilities for who may be operating the drones include:

• Individuals: Some sightings may be attributed to individuals illegally flying drones.
• Organized groups: The coordinated nature of some sightings suggests the involvement of organized groups.
• Foreign entities: While there is no evidence to support this, some officials have considered the possibility of foreign adversaries operating the drones.

However, the available information presents conflicting accounts and a lack of consensus on who is behind the drone activity.

Some sightings initially attributed to drones may actually be misidentified airplanes or hot air balloons.

The motives behind the drone activity also remain unclear. Some speculate that the drones may be used for:

• Surveillance: Drones could be used to gather information on critical infrastructure or military installations.
• Disruption: The drones may be intentionally flown to disrupt air traffic and cause public concern.
• Recreational purposes: Some drone activity may be attributed to individuals flying drones for recreational purposes, albeit illegally.

Public Reaction and Concerns

Public reaction to the drone sightings has been mixed. While some view the drones as a nuisance, others express concerns about potential threats to public safety and national security. There is also a degree of frustration with the perceived lack of transparency from authorities and the limited information available about the drones’ origins and purpose.

Potential Consequences

The drone sightings have several potential consequences:

• Safety risks: Drones pose a risk to aircraft and public safety, especially when flown near airports or populated areas.
• Security threats: Drones could be used for malicious purposes, such as smuggling or carrying out attacks.
• Privacy concerns: Drones equipped with cameras can be used to invade privacy.
• Economic disruption: Drone sightings can lead to airport closures and flight delays, causing economic disruption.
• Increased regulations: The incidents may lead to stricter regulations on drone use, potentially impacting recreational and commercial drone operators.

Drone Regulations in the US

The recent drone incidents have brought to light the need for a comprehensive and adaptable regulatory framework to address the evolving challenges posed by drone technology.

The FAA has established regulations for drone operation in the U.S.

These regulations are continually being reviewed and updated to ensure safety and security.

Current Regulations

The FAA has established separate regulations for recreational and commercial drone pilots to ensure responsible and safe drone operation.

Recreational Drone Use:

• TRUST Test: Recreational drone pilots must pass the FAA’s Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).
  • Free and online: The test is free and can be taken online through various FAA-approved test administrators, such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA).
  • Covers safety and regulations: TRUST educates recreational drone pilots on important safety guidelines and regulations for operating drones in the National Airspace System (NAS).
  • Completion certificate: Upon passing the test, you will receive a completion certificate that you must carry with you when flying.
• Registration: Drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds must be registered with the FAA.
• Altitude Limit: Drones must be flown at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace.
• Visual Line of Sight: Drones must be kept within the visual line of sight of the operator or a visual observer who can see the drone at all times.
• Airspace Restrictions: Drones can only fly in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. They cannot be flown in certain areas, such as near airports or government buildings.
• Speed Limit: Drones must be flown at a speed of 100 mph or slower.
• Yield to Manned Aircraft: Drone pilots must yield the right of way to manned aircraft.
• No Flying from Moving Vehicles: Drones cannot be flown from a moving vehicle unless in a sparsely populated area.
• Must follow community-based safety guidelines.

Commercial Drone Use:

• Part 107 License: Commercial drone pilots must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA.
  • This requires passing an aeronautical knowledge exam and meeting other requirements such as age and English language proficiency.
  • Must be at least 16 years old.
  • Must be able to understand, read, write, and speak English.
  • Must be mentally and physically able to operate a drone safely.
• Registration: All drones used for commercial purposes must be registered, regardless of weight.
• Operating Rules: Commercial drone pilots must adhere to specific operating rules, including altitude limits, speed restrictions, and right-of-way rules.
• Airspace Authorizations: Authorization is needed to fly in controlled airspace.

Proposed Changes

In response to the recent drone incidents, lawmakers and officials are proposing changes to existing regulations to enhance safety and security.

• Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act: This bill would reform legal authorities to counter unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones. It would also extend counter-UAS activities to select state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Increased state and local authority: Governor Hochul and other lawmakers are calling for increased authority for state and local law enforcement to investigate and address drone threats. This includes the ability to track down drone operators, enforce regulations, and potentially take down drones that pose a threat.
• Enhanced collaboration and resources: Lawmakers are emphasizing the importance of collaboration between local law enforcement, the FAA, and airports to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources to keep airports safe. This includes providing adequate funding, training, and technology to effectively monitor and respond to drone activity.

The Robin Radar System

To enhance its ability to monitor and respond to drone activity, New York State will be deploying the Robin Radar System. This system utilizes advanced radar technology to detect, track, and classify drones, providing valuable information to authorities.

Key Features:

• 360° Coverage in 3D: Provides complete awareness of drone activity in the surrounding airspace. This allows for comprehensive monitoring and early detection of potential threats.
• Drone Detection Range: Can detect drones up to 3 miles (5 kilometers) away. This provides ample time for authorities to assess and respond to drone activity.
• Drone Classification: Can identify the type of drone from about 1 mile (2 kilometers) away. This information can be crucial in determining the potential threat level and appropriate response.
• Micro-doppler and Deep Neural Network (DNN) Technology: Distinguishes drones from birds and other objects. This ensures accurate detection and reduces false alarms.
• On-the-Move (OTM) Capability: Can detect and track drones while moving at speeds up to 100 km/h (60 mph). This allows for flexible deployment and monitoring of drone activity in various locations.

Manufacturer:

Robin Radar Systems is a Dutch company specializing in radar technology for detecting small flying objects. The company has a strong track record in developing and deploying radar systems for various applications, including aviation safety and environmental monitoring.

It is important to note that the recent increase in drone reports may be partly attributed to a change in federal regulations allowing drones to be flown at night.

Before, you needed to request a special waiver from the FAA to fly drones at night.

Now, you just need to swap in some anticolission lights, and you’re set!

This change, while intended to expand the possibilities for drone use, may have inadvertently contributed to more drone sightings.

But that regulation was changed in April 2021, not on November, so that’s not it.