WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Blumenthal’s call comes after the FAA announced last week there have been nearly 650 incidents of rogue drones endangering aircraft this year, more than double the total in 2014.
He urged the FAA to take "aggressive action" to protect aircraft from rogue drones and develop regulations and prosecute drone operators endangering safety.
"Numerous recent news stories have detailed the growing capability of ordinary citizens to launch and pilot sophisticated, sizeable devices that have flown into prohibited airspace, threatened privacy and peace of mind, and posed a serious risk to air travel," Blumenthal stated.
The incidents include drones flying into restricted air zones, close call collisions with commercial aircraft and interference in firefighting operations in California. Several rogue-drones have also threatened the security of President Barack Obama.
"It is clear that a growing number of dangerous drone operators fail to operate their devices with the necessary due care or knowledge of safe flying practices we must demand," Blumenthal said.
As US officials grapple with how to regulate drones, the Consumer Electronics Association expects drone sales to skyrocket in the country to one million in 2015.
