Reports Of Drones Have 'Increased Dramatically' Since 2014, FAA Says
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Reports of drones have "increased dramatically" since 2014, according to data released by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA just last week released an updated list of reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft systems.
According to the report, there have been more than 580 reported sightings of drones between the period of August 2015 to January.
In January alone, the FAA says, there were 22 sightings of drones in California, some of which occurred near airports, including at Los Angeles International Airport.
In fact, the FAA says it now receives more than 100 reports of drone sightings from pilots, residents and law enforcement each month.
"The agency wants to send out a clear message that operating drones around airplanes, helicopters and airports is dangerous and illegal," the FAA indicated on its website. "Unauthorized operators may be subject to stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible jail time."
Most recently at LAX, the pilot of a Lufthansa A380 reported that a drone passed about 200 feet above the aircraft as it approached the airport on March 18.
"We have a number of educational initiatives with our government and industry partners to teach drone operators how to fly safely, including the drone registry we launched last December," said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. "But enforcement goes hand in hand with education, and we will take action against anyone who operates irresponsibly to the full extent of the law."
The agency says that since launching its drone registry in late December, more than 406,000 people have registered their drones. For more information on how to operate a drone safely, click here.
