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FAA Tackles Growing Drone Problem With New App

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—The number of drone sightings reported by pilots continues to skyrocket and now the FAA is hoping a new smart phone app will help tackle the growing problem.

WJZ's Rick Ritter has the latest.

It's arguably the hottest gadget across the country, but many dangers surround the popularity of drones.

The FAA's new app called "B4UFLY" hopes to grapple with those concerns.

"When you power it on, it checks its location and it tells you if you can fly here or not. You'll get a yes you can, or no you can't," said CBS News reporter Kris Van Cleave. "Remember, it was a couple of large geese that took out the engines on the Miracle on the Hudson plane. Those birds only weighed between 10 and 12 pounds. A 20lb drone, made of hard plastic and batteries, could be devastating to a jet engine."

It's an effort to educate drone pilots. The app takes the location of your smartphone and compares it against any flight restrictions in the area.

CBS's Kris Van Cleave is one of the 1,000 of beta testers.

"The concern though that some of the larger drones in particular, those drones are big enough that they could do significant damage to a jet engine," Van Cleave says.

The app's release comes after a sharp rise in close calls between drones and planes—a dramatic increase in just one year.

Officials say at least 650 drones have been spotted this year, nearly triple all of 2014.

WJZ's Captain Jeff Long sheds light on issues in the air.

"As a pilot, I can talk to other pilots and other helicopters. I can't talk to a drone operator," says Captain Jeff Long.

No communications could be disastrous for pilots in the air.

The FAA believes the majority of people flying drones is new to aviation and may not even be aware of the rules.

The free app is expected to be released to the public within three months.

In areas without drone restrictions, drones can be flown as long as they're beneath 400 feet and at least five miles from an airport.

For more information on B4UFLY CLICK HERE.

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