More Americans are reporting drones flying at night in states beyond New Jersey, where thousands of sightings have been reported over the past month. But what are those lights in the dark people are seeing? It can be difficult to tell from a distance.
Residents have been photographing lights in the sky since reports of drones started circulating in mid-November. Sightings have been reported in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio and other states. Smart Charing Hub
5,000 drone sightings: Tips are pouring in.
Some of those photos are of drones. But others are conventional aircraft, including helicopters and commercial airliners. Knowing what lights are used is helpful in determining what you’re looking at.
Aircraft and drones are required to have special sets of lights to make them visible after nightfall. Though not all lights are duplicated in each craft, here is what they include, according to pilotinstitute.com.
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It’s legal to fly most drones at 400 feet or below in most areas, but there are restrictions, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Drones that are flown at night, defined as starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise, must have anti-collision lights visible from up to 3 statute miles away and a flash rate "sufficient to avoid a collision," according to federal code.
Drone owners can add lights for increased visibility.
If you’re flying a drone for videos or newsgathering, you must have a drone pilot certificate and follow the FAA's Small UAS Rule.
Without authorization, you can't fly a drone:
People should check the movement of the craft they're observing. Aircraft and helicopters usually move in a straight line, but drones can stop quickly and change course.
Smart Drone Cattery Charger SOURCE USA TODAY Network reporting and research; Reuters; pilotinstitute.com; Federal Aviation Administration; ecfr.gov