PHOENIX — Just before 7:00 p.m. on Sunday August 2nd, 2015 an American Airlines flight (605) was flying at approx. 7000 feet and on approach to Sky Harbor Airport when, in the area of the Indian reservation near Fountain Hills/Scottsdale, the co-pilot observed what appeared to be a black and yellow, three prop drone fly within about 100 feet of the nose of the aircraft.
The pilot of the aircraft did not have to make any adjustments to the approach, the crew called the incident in to the airport tower and the aircraft landed safely. Phoenix Police Airport Bureau officers spoke with the flight crew and there was no opportunity for follow up in the area of the sighting.
The Phoenix Police Department, the City of Phoenix and the FAA have a growing concern for the use of USA/V, or “drones”, and recreational model airplanes around our city and our airport. Indeed, the City of Phoenix is working on proposal to address the issue (please go to phoenix.gov for more information).
From the FAA:
“A UAS is an Aircraft that Must Comply with Safety Requirements
A UAS is an “aircraft” as defined in the FAA’s authorizing statutes and is therefore subject to regulation by the FAA. An “aircraft” as “any contrivance invented, used, or designed to navigate or fly in the air.” The FAA’s regulations similarly define an “aircraft” as “a device that is used or intended to be used for flight in the air.”
Because an unmanned aircraft is a contrivance/device that is invented, used, and designed to fly in the air, it meets the definition of “aircraft.” The FAA has regulations that apply to the operation of all aircraft, whether manned or unmanned, and irrespective of the altitude at which the aircraft is operating. For example, FAA Regulations prohibits any person from operating an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another.
