Drone or flying car? Expert weighs in after mystery sightings prompt investigation in New Jersey
A mystery in the skies—with more random drones lighting up the skies—is now being investigated in the Garden State.
From Delaware County and Philadelphia to New Jersey, there are now possible drone sightings on both sides of the Delaware River.
One sighting occurred Sunday night in Evesham Township and also now in Delaware County. So what’s going on?
"I stood inside and recorded and went outside and I said yeah it’s not an airplane. It’s not a helicopter. Oh, I’ve seen video of drones around. I bet ya it’s one of those drones," said Morgan Weber, who saw a possible drone.
Weber, who lives in Media, is now among the dozens of people in the area, and in parts of New Jersey, who’ve recorded nighttime video of possible drones over the last two weeks.
"I think if it was something more serious, the government would’ve shot them down from the sky. I think they know what’s going on and they’re not telling us," she added.
The recent videos have sparked curiosity and concern, rightfully so, according to retired Air Force Major General James Poss, an intelligence and drone expert.
"As intelligence officers, we’re responsible for figuring out what the bad guy aircraft are—not the good guy aircraft. If it’s a bad guy aircraft, they need to go back to terrorist school because everybody can see them. They’re flying over populated areas so I don’t think it’s anything nefarious," said Poss.
General Poss consults in the drone industry. He has another theory, based on the reported size of the yet-to-be-identified flying objects.
"I would bet you that this is not a drone. I would bet you this is possibly a long clunky name Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft, otherwise…flying cars," Poss speculated.
Yes, possibly—manned high-tech flying vehicles, which have surpassed the development stage— and the general days, the EVTOLs are not breaking any FAA regulations.
"As long as it is not in restricted airspace with a beacon ADS and not over 10,000 feet or over a major airfield flight, visual rules they don’t have to file a flight plan with the FAA," Poss explained.
General Poss says the recent sightings appear large for a drone, which would have a remote ID, that the FAA and FBI could track. And only federal authorities can take action.
"Active measures against drones can only be resolved by the federal government," Poss asserted.
Drone or EVTOL—on the ground, people are talking.
"I think it’s like they’re trying to see what everyone is doing with the public, almost like a census. It is a weird conspiracy." mentioned Dayna Sacharov.
Last week, New Jersey Governor Murphy said he’d have agencies looking into it, and that includes state agencies and also the FBI.