A Buzz in The Sky: The Rise of The Drones and Their Impact In 2025.

By Raul H Rodriguez Jr

H.R and Employee Rights Advocate

Start Date: 1/2/2025

Author’s Note:

Before final publishing, all material and research used in this official business article were warranted and approved by a secondary editor. This paper will highlight the recent local application of drones across the state. I will highlight the people’s reaction to these machines and their use in society. It also looks into the conspiracies and fears that come with an eye in the sky. Drones will be a major factor in the future of defense, surveying areas for construction, population research, and even rescue operations. I can see the aid they could bring to people of all likes, however, their time in the sky is concerned with criminal uses and how we dispose of them. All will be revealed in time, please enjoy the article.

LinkedIn Site ID: linkedin.com/in/raul-rodriguez-jr-4488071466

Abstract

A drone stands above the city and is up high in the sky, 10 miles high. We’ve seen this with smaller tools, children’s toys at best. But as times have changed, technology has evolved to go beyond the standard limits. This has me both concerned and amazed at the same time. I know of drones, remote-controlled pilotless aircraft, or small flying devices for commercial/residential use. DJI (their logo is seen above alongside one of their noteworthy models) is often the brand I hear of and it seems I have seen more of their drones in action, alongside AgEagle & Skydio. However, drones becoming common is a security risk to every willing man and woman’s privacy. If an eye in the sky is watching my every move, there’s a horror I can never stake off. Plus think of the problems if I own a drone. Suddenly I was trapped under zoning laws and people's opinions, thinking I could be a perv or worse with a drone that can apply tools (or weapons). That paranoia is controllable though, as I have seen how drones could be useful. Rescue operations, quick delivery, and photographic surveying. If we could find a way to traffic drones and bring them into 2025 on a good note, hopefully, we would have a market worthy of kingship. I will be exploring the use of drones and their purpose, some ideas the major names in the business have in dealing with concerns, and an overall look at the future drones will be entering. As well as articles and news feeds, I will be checking out the professional makers and users of drones too. Keep the controller steady. It going to be a bumpy ride.

Keywords: Mystery Drone Sightings, New York, Drone Bans, Drone integration efforts Virginia Tech, Mosaic ATM, drone attack, Ukraine, Kyiv, federal agencies, security threat, criminal activity. Federal Aviation Administration, commercial drones, hobbyist drones.

Intro

I know of drones and have seen them in action. Buzzing around in the sky, lights being confused for stars and jetliners, and always keeping an eye on us when the clouds are clear. Drones will be a thing in 2025 and beyond, especially with the sightings my state of New Jersey had in the past weeks before winter blew in. Their goals can vary among the many users behind the remote controller. From buddying photographers scouting out frontier locations around the area for the best shots, to medical rescue experts scanning a collapsed apartment for survivors. A benefit to most as I like to see it, but of course; technology isn’t bound to a monolithic group. Military factions have armed such as drones with live firearms and bomb devices, criminals and some claim chasers have spied on innocent people for blackmail, secrets, and lewd content. The chart I have below shows a rising cascade of drone buyers and with the market nearly peaking at around 13 billion in total revenue, we going to be overburdened this year.

Well, it's time for another system of checks and balances to be set. Some companies have set by-laws to promise understanding and safety. A difficult task to manage as currently, 90% of drones manufactured & operated by U.S. officials are controlled by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). We never had the best relations with China, which has used aggressive subsidies, direct government investment, and favorable regulations to dominate the global drone market and undercut U.S. drone manufacturers like DJI, AgEagle, & Skydio. These unfair trade practices have allowed CCP-controlled drone companies to monopolize the U.S. drone market, preventing changes from easily getting approval as needed. Drone makers enhance style and function, identity is secondary; as the deals for most drones are on an online basis. The market isn’t a visible one, preventing us from seeing the true power of drones; something that worries me for 2025. Will this year see drones being misused to a degree that leads to dangers equal to the gun market, or can use control things enough to ease tensions in the state and abroad?

Among Us Stalk… The Drones

Mysterious flying objects overhead. Concern and confusion. And calls for military intervention. No. I’m not reciting the start of an ad for H.G. Wells’s War of The Worlds about aliens in space (even though I have limits). This is just the concerned whispers of Jersey folk, resulting from numerous possible drone sightings in recent weeks last month like the one above. The sightings have put intense pressure on?federal agencies?to provide more information about the aircraft, as officials accorded to CNN-US have urged calm and emphasized that no evidence suggests the sightings pose a security threat. Drone sightings have been reported in at least six states – New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio – while arrests have been made in connection with drone operations near restricted areas in Massachusetts and California.

Drones have become too numerous and people are taking notice. I fear there’s a mix of legal and illegal use, with the numbers game to tag their identities too broad to complete. I don’t recommend the power of a round-up, but we can allow this level of wild freedom to risk privacy. Removing drones from the sky is a major resource that could benefit the masses. I would create a general manifest for each major hub in the states, similar to the one used for guns in Canada. Now that sounds like a plan doomed to fail for similar reasons the US doesn’t have a national gun registry (something about interfering with the right to bear arms), but drones are a different issue. A drone is a multiple-purpose tool, it avoids that by-law as much as it avoids being spotted. A national registry would expand the reach of the Federal Aviation Administration’s existing registry. ?It states that all drones must be registered, except those that weigh 0.55 pounds or less (less than 250 grams) and are flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations. Often the smallest drone could be a safety issue, all it needs is a hidden camera and recorder to capture a voice or image.

Plus, I think the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations guidelines could have a flaw. For starters, know that the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations covers all drones in that pilot’s inventory. That means that, while 388,838 people have registered as recreational drone pilots, they might have more than one drone. If every recreational drone pilot owned, say, two drones, then there are more than 800,000 recreational drones out there and only half of them have been certificated for safe use after some testing. Recall a certain incident this month that proves this could be a problem, One of the two Super Scooper airplanes on loan from Canada is out of service for the weekend.? The same plane to be used in emergency services was loaned off to help with those wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County This water tanker now requires repairs after hitting a drone flying illegally in the fire zone, resulting in a “fist-sized” hole in the plane.? The FAA is investigating the incident, and law enforcement believes the agency will identify the drone’s operator soon. If we’re all right to trust the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations, how come their still illegal drones risking the safety and welfare of others in the sky they all share?

A Multipurpose Guardian

Distress over logistics and disasters like the incident with the Scooper Plane during those California Wildfires last month (as seen above) have damaged the reputation of drones and drone handlers. However, I think their use shouldn’t be shunned for the long term. We must promote the benefits and remain in control of the skies as we do with the roads. After all, we didn’t take the use of cars well, as concerns over the environmental impact of gasoline cars came forward over the years. Drones are a multi-purpose tool that needs guidance alongside legislation. For starters, drone lanes for commercial use should be available among local communities, to avoid further collisions happening in the future. A proximity alert on the remote controller can work, but built-in receivers would make things expensive and bulky. We’re taking military-grade sensor technology and camera systems that can work for miles abroad, which is good for a user of radar tech, not for the common man. If they’re an organized listing of safe zones and hang-out spots for the drone enthusiast, they could have the time to showcase some fun on the side.

Defining purpose would be an important task for many businesses when drones come into play. This means covering the cost of multiple units and being careful that their use doesn’t overshadow a worker’s contribution to the workplace. A few choices of careers that benefit from this ideal relationship are being helped by NASA in some way. In July last year, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the first time authorized multiple U.S. companies to fly commercial drones in the same airspace without their operators being able to see them the entire flight. This is due to Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM), which allows for the digital sharing of each drone user’s planned flight details as detailed below. Spotter control can be done in a fashion that can work out delivery lanes, so when medical supplies or pizza deliveries take to the skies; it can get there fast and clean without delay. If these spotters can organize some lanes for us, then the above traffic would be as safe as street traffic. This system is rough, but it can be used to watch for illegal flyers too if given the resources. We can’t have drone pilots unlawfully distribute “anti-media” leaflets to crowds at NFL stadiums (which happened twice in California already).

So, what can a drone pilot look for in finding that perfect job? The answer is easier than you think, as the timely use of photos can be a greater good. News Media and Advertisements can scope around passing along updates by one-at-a-time flyers or the much-preferred vocal recording. As long as their information is used to inform and provide a service, things should be fair for everyone. The same case would be made in emergency services, guiding others to safety and picking up pieces of debris that threaten lives. Drones were created to observe, so a top-down perspective that highlights possible points of recovery/rescue is essential for crews to march on and walk safely to areas of interest without much distribution. While there is an argument for military application, I will not promote armed drones. If a central nexus whether army or police is hacked, the need for safety will be overturned by the carnage fast-moving drones can cause.

Whether a project is given a military application, you can bet many an organization will be locked into copying the designs; something that could damage reputations. Drones don’t need any more bad press, so I would advise jumping into that risky bandwagon. If you need an example, look at the Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine as multiple targets are hit including the capital city of Kyiv as pictured above. Around half of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been destroyed during the war, and rolling electricity blackouts are widespread. If an armed drone capable of such power is in the military’s hands in a conflict like that, widespread war will be an unmeasurable logistics nightmare. Technology for the common people should fall into that trap, this is the time to let it stand as common.

Conclusion

Now, I will give my full opinion after the research I did. Do I think drones, despite their flaws and dangerous potential; can redeem themselves with a change in laws and purpose? Well, I’m a rule-loving human resources agent, so I believe this reorganization can improve the airborne community as a whole. Often when we create new articles of technology to better mankind as a whole, we open the door to their use being perverted or altered for a darker purpose than the original intention that was given. Drones aren’t the first to fall into this pitfall, social media boards like Bluesky & Twitter (always Twitter first, X never), new medicines to prevent plagues like Swine Fly or COVID, and more recently, AI Chatbots like ChatGPT. All technology is temperamental, but it doesn’t mean we should shun its use.

Drones are cool, with sleek designs and a sci-fi style that fits the look of the future. Some of these models have made marks with consumers and it would be a major loss if a cutoff was given. Every small detail works to create a product that will provide the image quality needed for photos. The DJI Mini with 4K resolution has a sleek cool white look that can identify flight spots and take five photos in one shot. The WeFone WF31 with built-in GPS can last for an hour at full battery capacity and its 100° wide-angle lens can welcome a top-down perspective with ease. The Autel Robotics EVO Lite+ can capture crisp, vibrant details at night with low noise — even when the ISO is cranked up high. Innovations such as the three example drones can’t be put to a purpose with just the right guidelines, and if not, other camera and flight systems may benefit from use. We can use the specs and collusion detection on cars, trains, & planes to prevent future accidents (sorry if it was too soon). The Wi-Fi connection boosters could be a benchmark for better transmission. Drones may prove to be more useful than we thought with revelations like the before.

So, my advice is don’t knock it without trying it first, an eye in the sky comes with a a lot of responsibility that I believe we are somewhat lacking in the sky this year. Drones need rules and laws to have a place in the modern era. It could be another 10 years at best with the recent air control issues bogging things down. We came back with better protocol before with add-ons to make driving safe, it is time to highlight flying as the next field of travel. Drones will be the first major step in that endeavor and hopefully with the recommendation I provided, maybe they have a chance to redeem their name as the next innovation in handheld technology. Just try not to buzz near me for now, I need to get used to drones first, and flying closer isn’t helping, just fly causal people. Cruise well through forest winds & desert heat for that perfect screen capture, it may be a sign of good times ahead.

Work Cited

·?????? Pastis, Stephen. “Mystery Drone Sightings: New York Adds Dozens of Drone Bans after New Jersey (Updated).” Edited by Siladitya Ray, Forbes Daily, Forbes Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024, www.forbes.com/sites/stephenpastis/2024/12/20/mystery-drone-sightings-new-york-adds-dozens-of-drone-bans-after-new-jersey-updated/.

·?????? Sottile, Zoe, et al. “What We Know About Mysterious Drone Sightings.” CNN, Cable News Network, 17 Dec. 2024, www.cnn.com/2024/12/15/us/drone-sightings-east-coast/index.html.

·?????? Clatterbuck, Lexi. “Drone Integration Efforts Lead to Industry First.” Edited by Lindsey Haugh, Virginia Tech News | Virginia Tech, Virginia Tech University, 24 Sept. 2024, www.news.vt.edu/articles/2024/09/drone-integration-efforts-lead-to-industry-first.html.

·?????? Novikov, Illia. “Russian Missile and Drone Attack on Ukraine Hits Multiple Targets, Including Kyiv.” AP News, The Associated Press, 31 Dec. 2024, www.apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-missile-attack-2f9c847bd98b87e3450ed325c3f89d0d.

·?????? Whiting, Teresa. “NASA Moves Drone Package Delivery Industry Closer to Reality.” NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 17 Jan. 2025, www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/delivering-closer-to-reality/.

·?????? Miller, Callie. “Drone Drops Flyers over NFL Stadiums, Highlighting Safety Concerns.” AirSight, Airsight Security, 21 May 2017, www.airsight.com/en/news/drone-drops-flyers-over-nfl-stadiums-highlighting-safety-concerns.

·?????? Shepardson, David. “US Considers Potential Rules to Restrict or Bar Chinese Drones | Reuters.” Reuters, Thomson Reuters Products, 2 Jan. 2025, www.reuters.com/world/us/us-considers-potential-rules-restrict-or-bar-chinese-drones-2025-01-02/.

·?????? “Stefanik Introduces Bill to Bolster the U.S. Drone Industry.” Edited by Elise Stefanik, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik Newsletter, Stefanik House, 15 May 2024, www.stefanik.house.gov/2024/5/stefanik-introduces-bill-to-bolster-the-u-s-drone-industry.