FBI investigates mysterious drones spotted over New Jersey

[MS Coast]

Would normally agree with you but it's been said here a couple of times, when they "see" things, we get shut down. When we see things, it's our imagination. when those balloons were floating across America, a lot of people who told to stand down and calm down. I think we are a bit past "wild assumptions" at this point. I've seen enough and my 1 voice out of 350 million citizens, I say investigate it and deal with it professionally Mr. FAA.

Actually, I'm thinking we're bogged down in the midst of "wild assumptions." But, I may be wrong.

Please define "they" and "we." Are we being badly treated by they? Are the participants on this forum a we or a they? I don't know who to root for.

What was wrong about telling people to calm down when those balloons were drifting across the continent? Did that create a problem?

Let's address the issue of jurisdiction in your call for action. Why lay it all on FAA? Do we need to call on the the FBI, USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, BSA, Department of Defense, CIA, NSA, Department of Justice, National Academy of Sciences, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops exorcist division, Scully & Mulder? What are we dealing with?

• Flashing lights in the sky that have done no harm nor exhibited any threat?
• Swamp gas?
• Top secret US military aircraft?
• Foreign military aircraft?
• Militia groups inciting mass hysteria?
• Self-driving Tesla refusing to stick to two dimensions?
• Pranksters?
• Alien beings from this galaxy?
• Alien beings from beyond this galaxy?
• Paranormal critters from another dimension?
• Spirits of the dead?

 

[mavic3usa]

Actually, I'm thinking we're bogged down in the midst of "wild assumptions." But, I may be wrong.

Please define "they" and "we." Are we being badly treated by they? Are the participants on this forum a we or a they? I don't know who to root for.

What was wrong about telling people to calm down when those balloons were drifting across the continent? Did that create a problem?

Let's address the issue of jurisdiction in your call for action. Why lay it all on FAA? Do we need to call on the the FBI, USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, BSA, Department of Defense, CIA, NSA, Department of Justice, National Academy of Sciences, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops exorcist division, Scully & Mulder? What are we dealing with?

• Flashing lights in the sky that have done no harm nor exhibited any threat?
• Swamp gas?
• Top secret US military aircraft?
• Foreign military aircraft?
• Militia groups inciting mass hysteria?
• Self-driving Tesla refusing to stick to two dimensions?
• Pranksters?
• Alien beings from this galaxy?
• Alien beings from beyond this galaxy?
• Paranormal critters from another dimension?
• Spirits of the dead?

It's ok to say calm down, nothing to see here as long as you know what you are dealing with and you can explain it to the layperson if necessary. FAA or someone in charge, speak up. When they say there is no imminent threat, does that mean they have analyzed and done the investigation and come to that conclusion? I would call this particular series of incidents extenuating circumstances that may rise to the level of needing special attention (not of the calling out of the national guard type) but if people want to blow this off, fine....I just hope they blow it off when it's me flying my drone around the neighborhood.

At this point, all someone has to do is call 911 and claim there's a drone spying in their bedroom window and a dozen cop cars will be dispatched and go looking for the pilot hoping to make a violent arrest. If that's what it takes to get someone to respond appropriately to this. It doesn't take several months or closer to a year to solve this; tired of talking about it.

The reason I agree it's the FBI at this point is because honestly they are the only org equipped to deal with this and I hate to say it but they're the only law enforcement agency that people have left to trust that won't lie to them. No one else is credible.

So I'm going to go out on a limb with this statement because I said it before and I still believe it: unless there's a law-abiding honest individual you can jam up for making a mistake, not worth it to deal with....which is why the criminal gets away with so much; I mean what fun is it to lock up a bad guy doing something wrong? That's the general mentality we are dealing with sometimes.

 

[Chip]

Let's address the issue of jurisdiction in your call for action. Why lay it all on FAA? Do we need to call on the the FBI, USAF, USN, USMC, USCG, BSA, Department of Defense, CIA, NSA, Department of Justice, National Academy of Sciences, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops exorcist division, Scully & Mulder? What are we dealing with?

• Flashing lights in the sky that have done no harm nor exhibited any threat?
• Swamp gas?
• Top secret US military aircraft?
• Foreign military aircraft?
• Militia groups inciting mass hysteria?
• Self-driving Tesla refusing to stick to two dimensions?
• Pranksters?
• Alien beings from this galaxy?
• Alien beings from beyond this galaxy?
• Paranormal critters from another dimension?
• Spirits of the dead?

Great post! I think the first 11 agencies on the list would/should all have a serious interest in these reported drone sightings for different reasons. Including of course local law enforcement. The reason for asking where is the FAA in all of this is because that is the agency which regulates use of aircraft in the airspace. Second, it is the agency which forced Drone Remote ID through on grounds of national security. The premise of the system is that if the drone is not emitting a remote ID, then its pilot is committing a felony and should be presumed hostile and dangerous.

 

[MARK (LI)]

Ok , So they did Ban Drones from going up in the Air.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly in the Rain, and Capture UFO in the skies.

Stop being an alarmist...the ban is just over Trump's place and Picatinny Arsenal...a military base...it makes perfect sense
Someone said they are "tethered".....they must know where they are tied down...I don't get why that can't be used as starting point in an investigation

 

[Meta4]

Someone said they are "tethered".....they must know where they are tied down...I don't get why that can't be used as starting point in an investigation

No-one knows they are tethered.
That was just a possible explanation to the claim that they hover all night.
There's so much confusion about this whole story from people of very questionable credibility that until there's some accurate information, it's not worth getting excited about.

 

[Cafguy]

Especially when its the same agency that required drones over 249 grams to be equipped with remote ID due to national security.

RID isnt a transponder! The FAA has to find the Drone first to find the RID number. Those Drones may very well have had an RID module. There is no way for the local Military (if its their weekend to be there) to see a Drones RID.
I guess someone there could download one of those apps I guess. Otherwise RID is simply a number the Drone broadcasts and is NOT a transponder. There is no way for the FAA to find a Drone on some monitor and catch the pilot while they are flying!
RID is simply a tax on persons that decided to create a business using Drones, disguised as a "security measure" Nothing more. I don't see how RID would impact National security in the least

 

[mavic3usa]

Just to be clear, I don't think it's the Russian or aliens. But I think it should be treated with the amount of attention (or more) that an ordinary unauthorized drone flight would receive should it fly near a marathon trying to capture a loved one running their first race or unauthorized drone flying over the local grocery store while an NFL game is in progress two blocks away. Otherwise the hobby drone flyer is the nefarious dangerous drone while the unknown pranksters, just ignore them they'll go away.

I'm really amp'd up because I've seen some video about a drone encounter that is not very cool.....

 

[Bad Santa]

Try this tonight: Fire up four Firehouse strobes on your Mavic and slowly cruise around the neighborhood at 150 feet. Let me know what happens in about 15 minutes.

I like this challenge.

 

[Bad Santa]

I think it's important to note that there have been propagators who have tried to push a conspiracy theory that Aliens were going to arrive December 3, 2024.
If I were to make a guess, I would say that I believe it's people just trying to cause controversy and get attention.
You know... trolls.

 

[MS Coast]

At this point, all someone has to do is call 911 and claim there's a drone spying in their bedroom window and a dozen cop cars will be dispatched and go looking for the pilot hoping to make a violent arrest.

Oh, come on. Can you cite even one instance of 12 police cars responding to a drone peeping Tom complaint? Are you really convinced that all police officers are just itching to to make a violent arrest of drone pilots? Know of one instance of the violent arrest of a drone pilot?

 

[MS Coast]

Second, it [FAA] is the agency which forced Drone Remote ID through on grounds of national security.

No, the FAA is not the bogeyman that created RID. Again, that was done by the United States Congress. Again, you're blaming the wrong group.

 

[Chip]

RID isnt a transponder! The FAA has to find the Drone first to find the RID number. Those Drones may very well have had an RID module. There is no way for the local Military (if its their weekend to be there) to see a Drones RID.
I guess someone there could download one of those apps I guess. Otherwise RID is simply a number the Drone broadcasts and is NOT a transponder. There is no way for the FAA to find a Drone on some monitor and catch the pilot while they are flying!
RID is simply a tax on persons that decided to create a business using Drones, disguised as a "security measure" Nothing more. I don't see how RID would impact National security in the least

The remote ID module broadcasts a signal which includes the drone owner's registration number. Unless the drone is below 250 grams, if it is not equipped with the module and is not broadcasting the owner's FAA registration number, then its being feloniously operated and law enforcement can presume its hostile and dangerous. Drone operator can be arrested on sight. Whether the drone operator can be caught in the act depends on where they are flying and who is monitoring with what equipment. You are right that law enforcement can capture registration number from remote ID signal but they cannot match it to a name and address. They need to contact the FAA and ask for the information. Now, does the FAA have the resources to do the job competently? No. Of course not. But they would never give up control of the chokepoint.

 

[Chip]

The instances I've heard about were reports from pilots who saw something during daylight.

The FAA's jurisdiction in the National Airspace has no minimum weight requirements. So they have their "fat regulatory paws on the throat of the cash cow." even if it's only a DJI Neo.

I stand corrected! The jurisdiction is down to the dirt and down to less than a gram. What is the ceiling, 50,000 feet?

Yes, at some level of significance and potential threat, the FAA would act. That level doesn't seem to have been reached.

Right. I wonder when the level is reached?

I'm reminded of reading about the reaction from many people when Orson Well's fictional story about aliens invading the Earth was broadcast on radio on October 31, 1938. Quite a few folks thought it was real and reacted badly.

Yes, great piece of broadcast history!

 

[MS Coast]

then its being feloniously operated and law enforcement can presume its hostile and dangerous. Drone operator can be arrested on sight.

What's with all the emotional condemnation of the FAA? I hate to see a person, or even a federal agency, maligned without legitimate cause.

Operating a drone without RID is not a felony. Most all law enforcement officers in almost all situations wouldn't really care, and only a hyper-caffeinated Barney Fife type would presume a hostile and dangerous situation. Are you aware of any provision in any set of laws for arresting a person flying a drone without RID? There's nothing in the Part 89 regs.

Whether the drone operator can be caught in the act depends on where they are flying and who is monitoring with what equipment. You are right that law enforcement can capture registration number from remote ID signal but they cannot match it to a name and address. They need to contact the FAA and ask for the information. Now, does the FAA have the resources to do the job competently? No. Of course not. But they would never give up control of the chokepoint.

Can you cite a single case of the FAA not responding to a request from law enforcement to provide the identity of the registrant of a drone?

 

[Cafguy]

if it is not equipped with the module and is not broadcasting the owner's FAA registration number, then its being feloniously operated and law enforcement can presume its hostile and dangerous. Drone operator can be arrested on sight.

Law enforcement officers don't presume. IF you decide to take your "above the limit" Drone out flying, NOBODY will EVER know. In fact The only entity that knows you are flying WITH OR without RID is you.
NOW if you have an accident with said Drone and the FAA investigates and finds out then that you flew without RID well.........God help you, cause your in a MESS of trouble.
There are NO FAA officers patrolling for Drone regulation violators and the local police have no authority to run around asking if you are following FAA regulations as you fly,They enforce ordinances and local law.
If you violate the law or have an incedent causing damage and are caught, Your Drones RID number can be "pinned" to your registration number and the FAA can now have a record of your violations regarding your Drone use. There is no such thing as RID monitoring equipment and there is no RID radar screen to watch drones fly. Those Phone apps just monitor select transmissions and you have to be fairly close to the operator for them to work. RID in no way functions like ADS-B or a tracking device of any kind. You are more likely to get in trouble for not writing your registration number on your Drone than you would be for flying without RID....And no one is getting arrested lol... They would just tell you to land and take your name and your Drone. maybe... if you are even caught somehow.

 

[mavic3usa]

I think it's important to note that there have been propagators who have tried to push a conspiracy theory that Aliens were going to arrive December 3, 2024.
If I were to make a guess, I would say that I believe it's people just trying to cause controversy and get attention.
You know... trolls.

You could be right and up until today, I have not heard about this Dec 3 aliens things. That might explain what has happened over the past week but for several months and even for a year now, there are these drones sightings that the US military has reported and have been unable to explain.

 

[Cafguy]

I like this challenge.

OH NO..... Ill send you 10 bucks if it goes national!

 

[mavic3usa]

Oh, come on. Can you cite even one instance of 12 police cars responding to a drone peeping Tom complaint? Are you really convinced that all police officers are just itching to to make a violent arrest of drone pilots? Know of one instance of the violent arrest of a drone pilot?

Nah, I'm going to stay on topic and talk about the drone sightings. You can head on over to copwatchers.com forum or wherever they discuss police activity if you want more information on what they do or don't do. You really don't have to dive into every tongue-in-cheek comment I make, you are certainly welcome to believe the true number is 2 or 3 cars or whatever. I want to talk about federal law enforcement and how they are handling the current situation that is alarming parts the country. Again, the public is demanding answers and they deserve a plausible explanation. You just can ignore this but only bring it up when it's convenient to claim they are halting airports or preventing helicopter airlifts or interfering with wildfires.

When I start a new thread on local law enforcement and post the video (later when it is appropriate) so you can see for your own eyes, be sure to dive in and comment on it instead of "I ain't gonna watch that; that's fake....." or "I don't have time for that, they instigated this..." or whatever excuse you'll come up with.

 

[Chip]

IF you decide to take your "above the limit" Drone out flying, NOBODY will EVER know. In fact The only entity that knows you are flying WITH OR without RID is you.

If this was true, then the FAA truly had no reason to push remote ID because it would literally accomplish nothing.

NOW if you have an accident with said Drone and the FAA investigates and finds out then that you flew without RID well.........God help you, cause your in a MESS of trouble.

I do not think you have to be in an accident to be in trouble flying a drone with no remote ID.

There are NO FAA officers patrolling for Drone regulation violators and the local police have no authority to run around asking if you are following FAA regulations as you fly, They enforce ordinances and local law.

If this was true then we can all just do whatever we want. I would suggest to you, however, that states may criminalize flying drones in a manner that violates federal law or FAA regulations or in any other way that is not preempted like nuisance, trespass, privacy, harassment, voyeurism, etc.

 

[AMann]

Well before this thread gets locked, did you guys hear about the drones seen in Japan with little men riding on top of them? I kid you not!