Task force sees an urgent need to address safety concerns involving drone activity near airports

Amid an increase in drone activity near airports in Southern California and elsewhere, a task force comprised of aviation and security leaders is urging lawmakers to address safety concerns by boosting funding and extending authority over drones to various law enforcement agencies.

Reports of potentially hazardous or unauthorized drone activity, many of which occurred near airports or aircraft, have increased dramatically over the past two years, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Last year, there were about 2,300 documented sightings in the United States ,nearly 200 more than the year prior, according to the agency.

The Blue Ribbon Task Force on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Mitigation at Airports released a report on Wednesday, Oct. 2, asking for increased funding while putting forth more than 20 policy recommendations aimed to address the risk of illegal drone usage.

While federal agencies regulate drones, it’s up to airports to create a plan and response to potential disruptions caused by drones, including working with the local and federal agencies, according to the FAA.

But consistent criteria on how a drone incident is defined and what response should take place if one occurs is still being formulated.

Los Angeles World Airports CEO Deborah Flint, a co-chair of the task force, called the shared airspace with drones a “new frontier.”

Airports have the highest risks in drone incidents, Flint said at a press conference Wednesday, but do not have the guidance, technology, funding or authority “to respond effectively and proactively.”

Since April 2016, when the airport started recording drone activity, there were 205 reports of activity near the airport, according to an LAX report. Of that, one person was contacted by law enforcement for operating a drone near LAX, the report said.

So far this year, there have been 27 reports, 19 of which were reported within five miles of the airport, according to LAX.

“There’s always a worry of aircraft colliding with each other and creating a safety hazard,” said Michael Huerta, a former FAA administrator who also co-chairs the task force.

In its report, the task force asks an increase of funding for the FAA and Transport Canada are funded to share the responsibility with airport operators in detecting drones.

One way to do that, the report proposes, is a remote identification rule in which authorities would be able to get the aircraft and its operator’s information while its in the air.

The report also urges lawmakers to extend the authority of local law enforcement agencies to aid airports if a drone incident occurs. Federal agencies could help train local officials to physically take down drones, the report says, such as by using firearms or training birds of prey to retrieve the aircraft.

Increasing education for drone operators, in addition to collaborating with drone manufacturers, is another proactive step the report suggests to reduce drone safety risks.

“The FAA appreciates the Blue Ribbon Task Force’s report on UAS Mitigation at Airports,” an FAA statement said. “We will carefully review the Task Force’s recommendations as we continue to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems into the national airspace.”