A drone was seen high in the sky on Monday morning and now the FAA is investigating what was reported by the pilot of a JetBlue aircraft heading into Fort Lauderdale.
More and more, pilots on commercial aircraft are concerned about the unmanned aircraft conflicting with them and South Florida is one of the top spots in the country for these drones to fly.
The JetBlue pilot got on the ground Monday without any trouble and didn't have to take evasive action. That being said, the drone was reported in a place they are rarely seen, at a much higher altitude than where they normally fly.
Video obtained by NBC 6 Investigators shows when a helicopter pilot reported a near-miss with a drone over west Broward last year. It was over almost the same airspace Monday when the JetBlue aircrew told controllers at Miami approach they had spotted a drone.
The JetBlue Airbus 320 was coming from Pittsburgh to Fort Lauderdale, Flight 2007, at 9:37 a.m. It reported seeing the drone when it was about 15 miles west of the airport.
The drone similar to this was unusually high, aviation sources indicated. The pilot's report was made with the JetBlue aircraft at an altitude of about 5,000 feet.
Jay Rollins was a Navy pilot and American Airlines Captain. He said Monday was an example of more powerful drones being able to go places drones haven't before.
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"I was at an event just yesterday at Marlins Park about Aviation Day. There was a display there of these huge drones. They actually have jet engines in them," Rollins said. "These $10,000 aircraft are easily capable of flying like this, 200 miles an hour. Can you imagine something like that getting sucked in to the engine of a JetBlue aircraft?"
BSO's aviation team took off in their helicopter to look for the drone and its operator but they were not located. BSO indicated the pilots reported the drone 1,000 feet above their altitude.
In general, the drones are not allowed in the airspace within five miles of an airport. While outside that area Monday, the drone's high altitude is considered unusual and an example of their expanded capabilities.
The FAA is trying to get a grip on these drones and how they can share airspace with commercial, military and private aircraft. They will have new rules out next year.
The FAA released the following statement in regards to the incident:
"The crew of JetBlue 2007, an Airbus A320, reported seeing a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) on approach to Ft Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport at 9:37 am today. The pilot did not take evasive action. The FAA will investigate."
