Florida Faces Spike in Unauthorized Drone Flights

Florida is seeing a sharp rise in unauthorized drone flights as the holiday season pushes thousands of new drones into the hands of first time pilots, and aviation experts say many of these operators simply do not understand the rules before taking off, which is creating safety risks across the state, as My News 13 reports.

The FAA currently lists more than eight hundred thousand registered drones in the country, yet millions more unregistered hobby drones are believed to be flying, and many of them are ending up in restricted airspace.

Drone instructor and pilot Dan Schoneck says the excitement of opening a new drone can easily overshadow the responsibility that comes with it, especially for beginners who think these aircraft are toys.

He explains that the appeal of helping new pilots learn is strong, but he also warns that inexperience almost always leads to bad decisions. Many buyers see a drone in a store, imagine the impressive footage they want to capture, and never stop to consider that these aircraft are tools that must be flown with care.

That lack of caution is showing up in the numbers. Nationwide, the FAA receives around one hundred reports each month of drones spotted near airports, and Florida is leading the country in unauthorized activity with more than seventy incidents recorded early this year, which is a noticeable jump from the previous year.

Sensitive locations remain common trouble spots, including theme parks, stadiums, and military facilities, with Disney airspace in particular designated as National Defense Airspace where hobby flights are strictly forbidden.

Most Violations Come From Uninformed Pilots

According to Dick Knapinski of the Experimental Aircraft Association, most of these pilots are not acting with harmful intent. He says the majority are simply families who buy a drone for vacation footage and then fly it without knowing that they have entered controlled airspace.

This behavior is not malicious, it is just a result of people taking a new gadget into the sky without checking the rules first, which often puts them in violation without realizing it.

That gap in knowledge is exactly why the FAA requires every recreational flyer, regardless of age, to complete the TRUST test. This short exam outlines the core safety rules for recreational flight, and it is mandatory for anyone who wants to operate a drone legally. Drone educator Keith Rosentreter, known for his Alien Drones YouTube channel, emphasizes that taking the test is not optional, and pilots must carry proof of completion whenever they fly.

For those who want to go beyond recreational flying, the requirements become more serious. Schoneck trains operators seeking their FAA Part 107 certification, which is essential for commercial work in industries such as media, real estate, inspections, agriculture, and security.

He notes that the goal of his courses is to help pilots pass the exam so they can earn money legally and avoid the penalties that come with unlicensed commercial operations.

Remote ID and Detection Tools Strengthen Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies and large venues are increasing their use of Remote ID tools, radar systems, geofencing alerts, and RF detection equipment to help identify unauthorized drones and track down their operators.

These technologies make it easier to spot drones entering restricted airspace, and they give authorities rapid insight into who is flying the aircraft, which has become increasingly important as drone incidents rise in busy states like Florida.

With drone sales climbing around Christmas, experts agree that the best way to stay both safe and legal is simple.

New pilots must learn the rules before they launch, understand where they can fly, complete the TRUST test, and take the time to treat drones as aircraft rather than toys. It is a message that experienced operators repeat every year, yet it becomes even more important as drone ownership continues to grow.

DroneXL’s Take

Florida is a perfect example of what happens when drone sales surge faster than pilot education, and the trend will only intensify as manufacturers release more capable drones at lower prices.

The technology keeps getting smarter, but the people unboxing these drones still need the basics, and the gap between excitement and responsibility is where most of these violations begin.

A little preparation goes a long way, and the hobby will be far safer once new pilots slow down, learn the rules, and respect the airspace they share with others.

Photo credit: Disney, FAA, Rafael Suarez