FAA: Drone Sightings Jump in 2016

The number of possible drone sightings continues to increase, but civil drones have not been involved in any verified collisions with civil aircraft, according to the latest FAA report. The FAA yesterday updated its list of potential sightings reported by pilots, air traffic controllers, law enforcement officials and citizens. According to the update, 1,274 potential sightings were reported from February through September 2016. This is up more than 46 percent from the 874 reported in the same period in 2015. The latest list includes sightings in more than 40 states, along with the District Columbia and Puerto Rico.

While a number of reports includes claims of drone strikes, the FAA said it has not verified any of those strikes. “Every investigation has found the reported collisions were either birds, impact with other items such as wires and posts, or structural failure not related to colliding with an unmanned aircraft,” the agency said.

The FAA added that it is continuing to send a message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is dangerous and illegal and could result in criminal charges.

The FAA has released a B4UFLY app to detail where it is legal to fly drones.