Is that a drone or a plane? Experts help explain the differences
Experts say it’s easy to confuse drones and airplanes, especially at night
By JOHN SEEWER and MARK SCOLFORO
Published - Dec 17, 2024, 07:36 AM ET
Last Updated - Dec 17, 2024, 07:36 AM EST
Up in the sky, is that a drone, a plane or a helicopter?
Experts who study unmanned aircraft systems — better known as drones — say it can be tough to tell from miles away. But there are clues.
A light in the sky at night can easily be misinterpreted, according to John Slaughter, director of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Research and Operations Center at the University of Maryland.
“You can’t just walk outside and say, ‘Oh, that’s not a drone,’ or ‘That is one.’ All you can really factually say is, ‘I saw a light in the sky,’" Slaughter said.
