ATLANTA — Drones flying in New Jersey have made national headlines.
In recent weeks, Channel 2 has received plenty of videos and messages of people saying they have seen drones flying at night.
Channel 2′s Michael Doudna spoke with Draganfly Innovations Inc. CEO Cameron Chell and Georgia’s Geospatial Association’s drone chair Brody Baer about the drones and the regulations that follow.
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There is little doubt in our mind that there is increased drone activity, especially in the Northeast,” Chell said.
Draganfly Innovations Inc. has been in the commercial drone business for 25 years.
Chell said the drone sightings in the Northeast are likely Category 1 or Category 2 drones.
Category 1 drones are under 50 lbs. and often do not have as many regulations as larger drones.
However, both experts say some of the reports are likely a case of mistaken identity.
“It would be common sense to make an assumption that a great number of these are mistaken identities,” Chells said.
“Especially in Atlanta, we live close to the busiest airport in the entire world and when you look up, looking up right now, you see airplanes in the sky,” Baer said.
Both experts say it can be easy to confuse a drone with a plane or helicopter at night.
Because of the difference in distances, large planes can look the same size as drones.
Drones often can come with similar lights that can mimic what airplanes have.
“Unless you are very close to it, especially at night, it can be difficult to tell,” Chells said.
Now, both experts say not every situation is a case of mistaken identity, but even then, just because a drone is flying at night doesn’t mean it’s something illegal.
“In most of the airspace in Atlanta or a lot of New Jersey, it’s clear to fly,” Baer said. “If someone was trying to hide what they were doing, I highly doubt they would be using FAA-compliant lighting and flying at low altitudes.”
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