Drone over NYC, FBI Investigating!

[MrNoBody]

MYFOXNY.COM/AP - wrote:
The FBI and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating a pilot's report that he spotted a small unmanned aircraft at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport.
The Alitalia pilot told air traffic controllers that he saw the aircraft as he approached Runway 31R at Kennedy at 1:15 p.m. Monday. The pilot said the aircraft was 4 to 5 miles southeast of the airport and was flying at an altitude of about 1,500 feet.
"The FBI is asking anyone with information about the unmanned aircraft or the operator to contact us," said Special Agent in Charge John Giacalone. "Our paramount concern is the safety of aircraft passengers and crew."
An FBI spokesman said the pilot reported that the aircraft was about 3 feet wide, had four propellers, and was black.
The pilot said the drone came within about 200 feet of the Alitalia jet.
The pilot can be heard on radio calls captured by LiveATC.net, a website that posts air traffic communications. The pilot said, "We saw a drone, a drone aircraft."
The FAA said the pilot did not take evasive action and the plane landed safely.

Anyone with information is asked to call the FBI at 212-384-1000.

http://www.myfoxny.com/story/21514251/fa...d-near-nyc

Maybe it belongs to Bloomberg's Food Police ecret:

[ztirffritz]

This is a tangentially related to this topic, but...

I realize that this is a hot-button topic for Right-wing conspiracy theorists AND Left-wing civil liberty fanatics, but I'm at a loss for what the actual problem is with domestic drones? We already have manned police helicopters and airplanes conducting domestic surveillance. What is the problem with drones doing the same thing? They're certainly safer and more cost effective.

[SteveG]

They should check with Newegg or The Geeks first, sounds like some hobbyist having fun. Of course, flying the toy in airport approach lanes is not such a hot idea.

[ka jowct]

We already have manned police helicopters and airplanes conducting domestic surveillance. What is the problem with drones doing the same thing? They're certainly safer and more cost effective.

Safe fscking around within flight paths at an extremely busy airport??

[August West]

They're certainly safer and more cost effective.

And thus easier to use and produce. I would not like to imagine a future where every inch of the country was under constant surveillance. I don't think that is what our founders imagined, nor do I think it is what our society truly wants. Orewellian society is slightly more dysfunctional than our current milieu.

[Pam]

ztirffritz wrote:
This is a tangentially related to this topic, but...

I realize that this is a hot-button topic for Right-wing conspiracy theorists AND Left-wing civil liberty fanatics, but I'm at a loss for what the actual problem is with domestic drones? We already have manned police helicopters and airplanes conducting domestic surveillance. What is the problem with drones doing the same thing? They're certainly safer and more cost effective.

Aside from ignoring FAA flight rules, it's a matter of getting used to the idea. The younger you are, the easier and faster it'll be.

[OWC Jamie]

Most security camera and surveillance are in public areas.
Drones could penetrate everywhere else including peeking in your bedroom or bathroom or whatever, like ceiling cat or just your back yard which if you have one should enjoy a modicum of privacy especially given the taxes one pays to have the privacy inherent of private property.

[RAMd®d]

but I'm at a loss for what the actual problem is with domestic drones?

I don't know what you're talking about, but at the moment the problem would be in identifying the source of a drone that appears to be near flight paths of commercial (and private?) aircraft.

Seems cautious to me to consider an unknown aircraft in a potentially dangerous area as a possible threat, to be identified and dealt with as is appropriate.

[richorlin]

I'll bet it was the NYPD. Earlier this year, NYC PC Ray Kelly talked publicly about the possibility of using unmanned aircraft for surveillance :

http://rt.com/usa/new-york-uav-drone-828/

[cbelt3]

"Drone" is also a name for radio controlled aircraft. Like I used to fly when I was a kid. Admittedly FAR away from flight lines. Or a kite or balloon....