Schumer proposes new law to virtually eliminate chance of drones crashing into planes
In light of several unauthorized drones spotted nearby New York area airports, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer on Thursday pledged to propose an amendment as part of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Bill this fall that would require manufacturers to implement geo-fencing technology or other similar solutions on all drones in order to prevent them from flying into “No Fly Zones,” like airports.
Geo-fencing or other similar technology, which Schumer has long-advocated for, limits where drones can fly through the installation of built-in software, firmware and GPS tracking in the device and helps take human error out of the equation. Manufacturers are already experimenting with placing this type of technology in their drones; however, Schumer said that all manufacturers should be required to implement the software right away — and that’s why he will be proposing this amendment.
Schumer pointed to at least seven reported drone sightings by pilots at both JFK and Newark airports — in just the past week or so — where drones were at an altitude of 2,000-3,000 feet. In addition, the FAA recently reported pilot sightings of unmanned aircrafts have increased over the past year from a total of 238 in 2014 to more than 650 by Aug. 9, 2015. Schumer said that these drone sightings are extremely troubling because a collision could put hundreds of airplane passengers and pilots in real danger.