Piloted Aircraft Or Spy Drones?
The TV news reporters have started a frenzy of concern, while failing to ask aviation experts, drone pilots and commercial pilots about the fuzzy videos taken during the night.
Drone pilots explain you would not be able to see a drone at night (or even during the day) more than a few thousand feet away. FAA regulations require drones have one light of any color mounted on top of the drone. The light would not be clearly visible except when viewed from above. Drones do not fly above 400 feet above ground, the top mounted light allows piloted aircraft to see them from above.
Pilots say it is difficult to describe lights in a night sky, as to how far away they are and the size of the objects. Most of the mystery drone videos show red, green and white lights, the required lights found on piloted aircraft, visible at night from all angles so that other aircraft can see them to avoid collisions.
Piloted aircraft have a red light on the left wing, a green light on the right wing, a red flashing light on top, and a bright white landing light or lights on the front. The videos are showing red, green and white lights, what you would see as when aircraft is in front of you coming in for a landing. The light would be visible from an observer on the ground from a distance of several miles.
Opinion: When in doubt, ask an expert about 'mysterious' phenomena. In the mystery "drone" case, TV news reporters and commentators are asking the wrong people about something they know nothing about. That is how false information is spread and more and more start to believe the rumors.
Video: Courtesy YouTube/Pilot Institute
Speculation is usually more compelling than truth.
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