The Risk Of Unauthorized Drones In The Airspace.

The Risk Of Unauthorized Drones In The Airspace.

    Unauthorized drones operating near airports have become a significant aviation security threat because they can collide with aircraft or disrupt airport operations. Drones pose similar hazards to birds, but in some ways they are more dangerous because they contain hard components such as batteries and motors that can severely damage a propeller or jet engine. Several real-world incidents demonstrate how quickly a routine flight can turn into a safety risk. For example, a commercial jet in Florida nearly collided with a camouflage-colored drone at roughly 2,300 feet, and the pilot reported needing to maneuver to avoid impact (Jacksonville.com, 2014). In another event, a drone operator was charged after his drone struck a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft, again proving that careless or untrained operators can create dangerous midair conflicts (ABC News, 2024).

    I personally witnessed this growing threat while flying as a student pilot. During some 360-degree turns while waiting on traffic to land, I noticed what initially looked like a red balloon was rising in the middle of my pattern but after watching it for a moment, I realized it was a drone with a reflective red body. My flight instructor immediately reported it to the tower, but no further action was taken. Although nothing major happened, the drone was close enough that it could easily have struck the propeller on the Piper Cherokee I was flying. After learning more about drones, I suspect the red coloring was intended to deter birds, because some drone pilots use reflective red tape help keep birds from attacking their drones. Either way, this experience showed me how unpredictable and dangerous unauthorized drones can be, especially when pilots are already managing many tasks in busy airspace.

    While the FAA regulates airspace and sets rules for unmanned aircraft, the TSA plays a key role in security by coordinating intelligence, monitoring airport perimeters, and partnering with airport police and federal agencies. The FAA also provides guidance for airports on using drone-detection technology and responding to unauthorized aircraft in restricted airspace (Federal Aviation Administration, n.d.). However, many airports still lack advanced detection systems, and existing systems often cannot determine a drone’s intent. Modern detection technology using artificial-intelligence algorithms can analyze movement patterns, flight paths, and loitering behaviors to help classify threat levels more accurately. Investing in these AI-enabled systems would greatly strengthen TSA’s layered security approach by providing earlier warnings, improving situational awareness, and allowing faster coordination with law enforcement. Because of this, I recommend that every airport adopt advanced drone-detection equipment so that unauthorized drones can be quickly identified, tracked, and assessed before they cause harm.

References 

ABC News. (2024). Drone operator charged after hitting Super Scooper plane in Palisades. https://abcnews.go.com/US/drone-operator-charged-hitting-super-scooper-plane-palisades/story?id=118313936

Federal Aviation Administration. (n.d.). UAS detection, mitigation, and response. https://www.faa.gov/airports/new_entrants/uas_detection_mitigation_response

Jacksonville.com. (2014, May 10). FAA: Jet nearly collided with camouflage-colored drone over Florida. https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/2014/05/10/faa-jet-nearly-collided-camouflage-colored-drone-over-florida/15796141007/

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