Drones flying in New Jersey have made national headlines.
In recent weeks, Channel 2 has received many videos and messages from people who say they have seen drones flying at night.
Channel 2’s Michael Doudna spoke with Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly Innovations Inc. and Brody Baer, the drone chairman of Georgia’s Geospatial Association, about the drones and the regulations that follow.
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There is little doubt in our minds that there has been increased drone activity, particularly in the North East,” Chell said.
Draganfly Innovations Inc. has been in the commercial drone industry for 25 years.
Chell said the drone sightings in the Northeast are likely Category 1 or Category 2 drones.
Category 1 drones weigh less than 50 lbs. and often do not have as much regulation as larger drones.
However, both experts say some of the reports are likely a case of mistaken identity.
“It would be common sense to assume that a large number of these are mistaken identities,” Chells said.
“Especially in Atlanta, we live close to the busiest airport in the world and if you look up, look up now, you see planes in the sky,” said Brody Baer of the Georgia Geospatial Association.
Both experts say that at night it can be easy to mistake a drone for an airplane or helicopter.
The difference in distances can make large planes look the same size as drones.
Drones can often come with similar lights that can mimic what airplanes have.
“Unless you’re really close, especially at night, it can be hard to tell,” Chells said.
Both experts say not every situation is a case of mistaken identity, but even then, just because a drone flies at night doesn’t mean it’s something illegal.
“Most of the airspace in Atlanta or much of New Jersey is clear to fly,” Baer said. “If someone were trying to hide what he was doing, I seriously doubt he would be using FAA compliant lighting and flying at low altitude.”
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