At 16:32 EST on December 18, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) implemented a further 22 temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) across additional areas of New Jersey in their latest response to the drone sightings across the United States’ East Coast.
The additional TFRs are active from December 18, 2024 until January 17, 2025 and cover the following areas: Hamilton, Bridgewater, Cedar Grove, North Brunswick, Metuchen, Evesham, Camden, Gloucester City, Westampton, South Brunswick, Edison, Branchburg, Sewaren, Jersey City, Harrison, Elizabeth, Bayonne, Winslow, Burlington, Clifton, Hancocks Bridge, Kearny. These are in addition to the existing restrictions over Bedminster and Picatinny Arsenal.
The restrictions stipulated by each Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) prohibit the operation of drones within 1 nautical mile of the designated airspace up to 400 feet (the altitude permitted under existing FAA regulations), with the government reserving the right to use “deadly force” against any drones deemed to posed an “imminent security threat”.
Pilots in violation of these restrictions are liable to be “intercepted, detained and interviewed by the law enforcement/ security personnel” and could face civil penalties, license removal and potential criminal charges.
The TFRs were issued a day after President Biden sought to reassure the public that they shouldn’t be concerned by the drone sightings, telling reporters outside Marine One that there is “nothing nefarious, apparently” behind the sightings.
President Biden’s comments contrasted to earlier remarks by President-elect Trump about the origin of the drones, who alleged in a press conference on Tuesday that:
“Our military knows, and our president knows, and for some reason they want to keep people in suspense… Something strange is going on. For some reason they don’t want to tell the people”
The FAA’s action demonstrates that regardless of disagreements between the current and incoming administrations, the federal government is willing to expand preventative measures to reassure the public that their safety is not at risk from the sightings.
Post Image Credit: The FAA
