Event Hired Monitoring Firm To Keep Track Of UAVs During Balloon Flights

Nearly 500 drones were detected operating in the No Fly Zone around the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, according to local media reports.

Balloon Fiesta hired Phoenix-based Aerial Armor to keep track of any unauthorized aircraft operating in the area around Fiesta Park, according to a report from television station KRQE. FAA rules prohibit drone flights within four miles of the park, but some 458 drones were noted within the past few days by the monitoring company, and nearly half crossed into the No Fly Zone, according to the report.

Aerial Armor's operation manager Brandon Lugo told KRQE that the company used a DJI Aeroscope System, "which basically has a few different sensors that are set up around the field and monitoring radio frequency signals," he said. The system collects flight path information, where the operator is standing, and the serial numbers of the drones. Aerial Armor said that it would be turning over data on aircraft that violated the TFR to the FBI and local authorities when Balloon Fiesta ends.

(Image from file)

FMI: Source report