BOSTON – Two Massachusetts men are facing charges in connection with probably flying a drone too close to Logan Airport, concerns about how drones are used and why continue to grow.
“It’s hard to hear that there’s something going on that scares people,” said Hayden Spitz, owner of Boston Drone Productions.
Drone sightings have captured the country’s attention. The arrests in Massachusetts make the local threat all the more real. Two men were charged with trespassing after flying drones too close to the airspace.
Now technology that can provide breathtaking views, deliver supplies and even race is becoming a serious safety issue.
“They are a valuable asset,” Spitz said. He teaches drone safety at the University of New Hampshire. “The most important thing is that we focus on safety,” Spitz said.
But for Spitz, education is what separates a successful flight from getting an airline into legal trouble. “Many of us in the drone community do this for fun or for work,” says Spitz.
FAA Rules for Drone Operators
There are two types of operators: recreational drone users, responsible for taking the TRUST test, a no-fail exam that teaches do’s and don’ts, and commercial users who complete hours of training and ultimately acquire a professional license.
Both must follow FAA rules, including:
- Drones must weigh less than 55 kilos
- Fly below 400 feet
- Do not fly near crowds or in airspace
- Stay in sight
The key to drone safety is knowing where you are and what you are allowed to do in that space. There are FAA-approved apps for all this, like Aloft Air Control, color coding where and how high operators can fly.
Law enforcement experts say the guidelines may need to be updated, suggesting not everyone should be able to buy drones.
“Better public education that comes with buying things should be necessary,” says WBZ safety analyst and former Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis.
Drone sightings have been reported in several states, including Massachusetts, in recent days. Davis reassures Massachusetts residents.
“This is not a foreign power or a threat to our survival. That’s what the public is really looking for: what the threat level is,” Davis said.
On Monday, the Suffolk County District Attorney warned drone operators to be aware of drone laws and said there are plenty of places to fly drones safely. There isn’t one of those near Logan Airport.
Laura Haefeli
