Drone manufacturers should be forced to install technology that blocks users from flying near airports or major events, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Sunday.
Schumer plans to introduce an amendment to a bill that funds the Federal Aviation Administration requiring all drones to have geo-fencing technology in part because of recent drone incidents.
There were two drones spotted over the West Indian Day Parade the previous Sunday and one smashed into empty seats at the U.S. Open on Sept. 3.
“Our airspace in and around New York City is becoming the Wild West for drones,” Schumer said. “With these recent incidents, it’s clear that commercial drone use has gone from simply unregulated to potentially deadly.”
Geo-fencing works via a GPS tracking system installed in the device. It would block the drones from flying within two miles of airports or above 500 feet.
In February, the Federal Aviation Administration released its draft rule on drones.
Those proposed directions mandate drone users be at least 17 years old, stay away from bystanders and fly only during the daytime. The regulations also limit flying to speeds of 100 miles per hour and no higher than 500 feet above ground level.
But Schumer contends the regulations aren’t tough enough because it doesn’t require geo-fencing technology.
As a result, the New York Democrat plans to unveil an amendment this week that requires all drone manufactures install geo-fencing technology as part of the FAA Reauthorization Act that must go through Congress the fall.
“We must act soon before a real tragedy occurs,” Schumer said. “There needs to be a clear strategy to address the public safety dilemma because a future drone crash could spell real trouble.”
There were 130 near-misses with drones that were near passenger planes, Schumer said. Seven of those were near New York City airports, with three at JFK and 4 at Newark.
