But federal officials say they're receiving a growing number of reports from pilots spotting unmanned aircraft systems violating the rules, including several recent incidents in the cluttered airspace above New York and New Jersey. Within the last 10 days, the Federal Aviation Administration has disclosed drone sightings by eight separate flights in the region.
The agency said in a statement that it "recently has seen a significant increase in pilot reports of unmanned aircraft near airports around the country."
The FAA said operators who fly a drone near a manned aircraft could face fines up to $25,000 and criminal charges.
- Want to avoid that? Follow these rules:
- Don't fly above 400 feet
- Don't fly near people or stadiums
- Don't fly within five miles of an airport
- Don't let the drone out of your sight
- Don't interfere with manned aircraft
- Don't fly a drone that weighs more than 55 pounds
Most recently in New Jersey, the FAA said four commercial flights reported seeing a drone on final approach to Newark Liberty International Airport on Sunday afternoon.
Less than two weeks ago, four flights, including three near John
F. Kennedy International Airport, also reported drone sightings, according to the FAA.
A Shuttle America flight heading toward LaGuardia Airport in May reported a close call with an unmanned aircraft while flying over Brooklyn. NBC New York reported that the pilot had to pull up some 200 feet to avoid hitting the drone.
The reported uptick in drone sightings to the agency follows an explosion in interest in unmanned aircraft.
The Consumer Electronics Association expects the number of drones sold this year to dealers to approach 700,000, up from 430,000. In 2013, the CEA research shows, 128,000 drones were sold.
The average unit price, meanwhile, is expected to fall to $149 in 2015, according to the industry group. That's down from $160 in 2014 and $349 in 2013.
With an increasing number of unmanned aircraft hitting the skies, industry groups and the FAA have teamed up to launch an educational campaign called Know Before You Fly aimed at teaching potential operators how to safely use drones.
