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Unauthorized drones flying at NAS Oceana raise safety concerns

Posted at 12:15 PM, Oct 20, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-20 12:15:30-04

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Two unauthorized drones spotted flying at Naval Air Station Oceana Thursday are raising safety concerns, according to the U.S. Navy.

Flight line personnel saw a white drone flying near the aircraft hangars early Thursday morning.

A few hours later, a Navy pilot flying an F/A-18 Hornet saw a black drone in the landing pattern at NAS Oceana.

Officials with the Navy want to remind people that flying drones in unauthorized space is not only illegal, but it also puts air crews and people on the ground at risk.

UAS are capable of causing significant damage to aircraft in the event of a mid-air collision,” said Captain Rich Meadows, the Commanding Officer of NAS Oceana.  “The distraction of a drone could have disastrous consequences. If a drone actually collides with a plane, the result could be catastrophic for the pilot and the local community.”

There are prohibitions against operating recreational or commercial drones within five miles of NAS Oceana, or within two miles of Naval Auxiliary Landing Field (NALF) Fentress in Chesapeake, VA, if FAA requirements have not been met.