The Danger Zone: UAS Sightings by Distance from Airports

Authors

• Jalee Noel Boucher, Florida Institute of TechnologyFollow
• Omkar Aaditya Sahoo, Florida Institute of TechnologyFollow
• Brian Winston Anthony Williams, Florida Institute of TechnologyFollow
• Vivek Sharma, Florida Institute of TechnologyFollow
• Brooke Wheeler, Florida Institute of TechnologyFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Title

Northrop Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase

Abstract

The increased usage of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) has called for an increase in pilot awareness as they approach or depart airports. Given the increase in UAS usage and the growing academic and industry relevance of UAS, encounters between manned aircraft and UAS are to be expected. The purpose of this study is to examine differences in the number of monthly reported UAS sightings across distance categories from the airport in the contiguous United States between January 2021 and December 2025 (FAA, 2025). An ex post facto design was used and distance categories were established. Data that lacked distance information and exceeded 10nm were excluded. After analyzing the 6513 sightings available for use, 51.8% of the UAS sightings were in the 2-3.99 and 4-5.99 NM categories specifically during takeoff, landing, and other critical phases of flight.

Publication Date

Spring 4-24-2026

Recommended Citation

Boucher, Jalee Noel; Sahoo, Omkar Aaditya; Williams, Brian Winston Anthony; Sharma, Vivek; and Wheeler, Brooke, "The Danger Zone: UAS Sightings by Distance from Airports" (2026). Aeronautics Student Publications. 43.
https://repository.fit.edu/aero_student/43