The Federal Aviation Administration has prohibited drone flights over the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, and the Picatinny Arsenal Military Base in Rockaway, following reports of unexplained drone activity last month, the administration said Monday.
The prohibition over the golf course was issued Nov. 22 and lasts until Dec. 6, and the one over the military base ranges from Nov. 25 to Dec. 26.
The FAA first received reports of drone activity in Morris County, where the base is located, on Nov. 18. While President-elect Donald J. Trump’s golf course is in Somerset County, many drone sightings have been reported in nearby Mendham, Chester, and Morristown.
“We look into all reports of unauthorized drone operations and investigate when appropriate,” the FAA said in a statement, noting that drone operators who endanger aircraft or pedestrians could be fined up to $75,000 and lose their drone operators’ pilot certificates.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed that it is investigating the drone flights.
“We are working with several of our law enforcement partners to figure out what’s going on,” said bureau spokeswoman Amy J. Thoreson. “At the moment, we don’t have any specifics to share.”
Reached by phone, an employee of the golf course said it was closed Monday and Tuesday. A message left with Trump’s office was not immediately returned.
Eric Kowal, a spokesman for Picatinny Arsenal, said it was illegal to fly drones over the arsenal without prior authorization, following reports of drone flight over the base.
“From our standpoint we’re not alarming our residents and employees,” he said. “The FBI are the experts on the threat. We don’t believe there to be a threat at this juncture.”
The restrictions come amid reports of unauthorized drones flying over three United States airbases in England.
Meanwhile, two weeks of unexplained night-time drone sightings in North Jersey have unnerved residents who have seen the drones hovering above their homes, sometimes daily, and for hours at a time. Michael Walsh, who lives near the border of Chester, Mendham and Randolph, said he saw up to eight drones at once.
Another Mendham resident described a drone he saw as the size of a Cessna airplane.
“All somebody needs to do is see the size … you’re not buying that off of Amazon or some hobby store,” said Christian Kalweit, a small business owner from Mendham. Asked if he believed them to be military-grade, he said, “Absolutely. Considering their size.”
Staff reporter AJ McDougall contributed reporting.
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Tina Kelley may be reached at tkelley@njadvancemedia.com.
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