FAA investigating after pilot reports drone near JFK airport
NEW YORK (AP) - The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration said Tuesday they are investigating a pilot's report that he spotted a small unmanned aircraft near Kennedy Airport.
The Alitalia pilot told controllers that he saw the aircraft as he approached the runway at Kennedy at about 1:15 p.m. Monday. The pilot said the aircraft was 4 to 5 miles southeast of the airport and was flying at an altitude of about 1,500 feet.
The pilot reported that the aircraft was about 1 meter long, an FBI spokesman said.
The pilot can be heard on radio calls captured by LiveATC.net, a website that posts air traffic communications, saying, "We saw a drone, a drone aircraft."
The FAA said the pilot did not take evasive action and the plane landed safely.
It's unclear what the small aircraft was. Some remote-controlled planes flown by hobbyists are longer than 1 meter. Under FAA rules, model planes are restricted to altitudes of 400 feet or less.
Obviously of Iranian origin.
It was not me!!! Can't fly in the Oregon rain:(
I suppose model aircraft cant be flown anymore due to the paranoia of the evil drones!!!!Â
Now that big brother has the means, don't think that he won't use them for spying on the public!
Commercial aircraft should be armed with missiles or at least cannons to take out potential hazards.
Flown out of Langly...expect another "terrorist" attack.
So somebody was flying their R/C FPV plane too close to an airport. Â Locate them and fine them and get on with life. Â Calling it a "drone" doesn't make it a threat. Â
@negativerepÂ
Is 4-5 miles too close?
In Portland that would mean you could not fly an RC plane anywhere in North, NE or North of Division. It would also exclude much of Vancouver.Â
@Repoman That was a good question, so I did some research and came up with:
ADVISORYÂ
Subject: MODEL AIRCRAFT OPERATING STANDARDSÂAC 91-57Â
DATE June 9, 1981Â
CIRCULARÂ
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONÂ
Federal Aviation AdministrationÂ
Washington, D.C.
1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular outlines, and encourages voluntaryÂ
compliance with, safety standards for model aircraft operators.2. BACKGROUND. Modelers, generally, are concerned about safety and do exercise good judgment when flying model aircraft. However, model.aircraft can at times pose a hazard to full-scale aircraft in flight and to persons and property on the surface. Compliance with the following standards will help reduce the potential for that hazard and create a good neighbor environmentÂ
with affected communities and airspace users.3. OPERATING STANDARDS.
a. Select an operating site that is of sufficient distance from populated areas. The selected site should be away from noise sensitive areas such as parks, schools, hospitals, churches, etc.b. Do not operate model aircraft in the presence of spectators until the aircraft is successfully flight tested and proven airworthy.c Do not fly model aircraft higher than 400 feet above the surface.Â
When flying aircraft within 3 miles of an airport, notify the airport operator, or when an air traffic facility is located at the airport, notify the control tower, or flight service station.d. Give right of way to, and avoid flying in the proximity of, full-scale aircraft. Use observers to help if possible.e Do not hesitate to ask for assistance from any airport traffic control concerning compliance with these standards.
R. J. Van VurenÂ
Director, Air Traffic Service
It's only an (OLD) advisory and does not carry the weight of law. Â It's my understanding that the FAA is drafting updated regulations for UAV's given the new tech making them available to the general public. Â So, basically, it looks like the "drone" was operating legally so this story could possibly be a media attempt to "prepare" the public for upcoming legislation?
@FreedomRocks True!  Also, back in the 80's when that advisory was written, the analog radio frequencies were pretty dirty and could interfere and be interfered with readily.  Nowadays, the digital tech is way cleaner and more concise.  I hope they take that into consideration when writing any new legislation.
@negativerep Thanks for looking that up I see if I fly my RC toys at work I am violating the 3 mile rule which seems rather silly since at 400' high it would be tough to see well enough to fly.
@negativerepÂ
Good information.Â
KATU, you should do a story about the lawmaker in Eugene that wants to make it a crime to own any r/c aircraft with a camera on the front of it, including the Sharper Image toys.
@PlayanekesÂ
Either you're joking, or you missed the three articles they did on that subject.Â
I bet you are jokeing. LOL
@Playanekes The Government: Do as I say, not as I do.