Up above, observers may find it challenging to identify if they are looking at a drone, an airplane, or a helicopter. Those adept in unmanned aerial vehicle studies suggest there are distinct indicators one can look for. According to John Slaughter, who heads the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research and Operations Center at the University of Maryland, many night-time aerial lights can lead to confusion.
“When you step outside, it’s not straightforward to determine the type of aerial vehicle you’re observing,” Slaughter explained. “You can only say, ‘I noticed a light in the sky,’ without making a definitive identification.”
Recently, numerous unidentified aerial vehicles first reported in New Jersey and now appearing nationwide have sparked concern among locals and officials. The anxiety is heightened by their proximity to significant locations, such as the Picatinny Arsenal—a U.S. military research facility—and the golf course owned by President-elect Donald Trump in Bedminster.
Could those lights belong to a plane? Airplanes and helicopters typically feature a range of flashing lights, including at least one red anti-collision light and stable red and green navigation lights, similar to maritime signals. They often have flashing white strobe lights at the wingtips and bright landing lights for visibility.
In contrast, drones are only mandated to have a single bright anti-collision light visible from three miles away. Some drone operators choose to install additional lights, so while drones may have multiple lights, their compact size can make it difficult to gauge how far away they actually are at night. “A light is merely a bright dot,” Slaughter noted. “It could be as near as 100 yards or as far as 40 miles away, yet it would appear similar.”
What about the sound produced by drones? Generally, drones produce a quieter, higher-pitched buzzing sound in comparison to the noise made by planes or helicopters. However, larger drones have the potential to create more pronounced sounds, making them less distinguishable from afar.
Drones weighing over half a pound often have a designated identification number on their exterior, although visibility at night is a challenge. Paul R. Snyder, who oversees the Unmanned Aircraft System program at the University of North Dakota’s Aerospace Sciences School, emphasized that such identifiers would require close proximity during the daytime to be seen at all.
How do drones maneuver? While airplanes and helicopters exhibit smooth flight patterns, multicopter drones can change directions rapidly, halt suddenly, and backtrack, according to Slaughter. “These unique movements are indicative of a drone rather than a conventional aircraft,” he stated.
Moreover, most drones operate at altitudes below 400 feet, in compliance with federal guidelines.
