By Dr. William Austin
I’ve been involved in the drone industry nearly from the start, so I have a message to anyone in New Jersey and beyond who is concerned about the many reported sightings: It’s time to take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the holidays.
In recent weeks, reports of “mysterious drones” flying over New Jersey have dominated headlines and sparked public curiosity, a media frenzy and even political concern. As a national drone expert and the president of Warren Community College – home to our state’s most advanced drone-training program – I feel compelled to share what we know.
Despite widespread claims, the evidence simply doesn’t support the existence of large drones in our night skies. What we are witnessing instead is a combination of misidentification, media amplification and a sociological phenomenon that warrants careful consideration – not panic.
I first heard about the drone sightings Nov. 19. Curious but skeptical, I tasked my aviation students with monitoring the skies. After weeks of observation, their findings have remained consistent: We’ve seen only small drones – the kind you’d expect to see in New Jersey and flown legally.
By Nov. 26, the Morristown Daily Record reached out for comment, and I explained that these sightings were likely caused by recreational FAA-certified pilots, small commercial drones or perhaps a misunderstood flyaway incident from nearby Picatinny Arsenal. By then, the media’s appetite for the “mystery drone” story was growing quickly. Major outlets such as USA Today picked up the story, thus transforming it into a national headline and, soon after, a political football.
While many were caught up in the intrigue, I went about my normal Thanksgiving holiday. When I returned to work, the story had snowballed, and I began receiving calls from regional and national media. As the college that trains New Jersey’s drone pilots, we are seen as a source of expertise and I welcomed the opportunity to set the record straight.
Despite growing eyewitness reports and videos, the evidence overwhelmingly points to misidentification. Over the last month, reporters have sent me photos, videos and questions. Time and time again, the “large drones” people claim to see turn out to be airplanes, small drones or even celestial objects such as Jupiter (which has been particularly bright in the night sky this season).
In every case where I’ve reviewed visuals and data, the explanation is clear. Yet the narrative of “mysterious drones” persists. To date, I have not seen a single large drone – defined as weighing over 55 pounds – in flight over New Jersey, despite weeks of diligent searching and investigation.
Federal tracking software backs up these findings. On Dec. 14, 12 drones were logged flying in the entire state of New Jersey, and only one was detected the following day. Given that there are over 20,000 registered drones in the state, this data should be enough to dispel the myth of a coordinated fleet of large drones.
How did we get here?
As both an aviation expert and a sociologist, I believe we’re witnessing a case of “mass sociogenic technophobia” – a modern form of shared panic driven by fear of technology. This phenomenon occurs when people, influenced by trusted voices, begin to report experiences that align with the dominant narrative.
When politicians, media outlets, and community members report seeing drones, others follow suit, believing their eyes must confirm the same. Night flying makes the situation worse. At night, the parallax effect – a familiar concept in aviation – can cause stationary objects to appear to hover or move unpredictably. Airplanes flying at a distance, for example, can be mistaken for drones, especially when lights or shadows obscure their true form.
I saw this play out firsthand when I appeared on TV networks such as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. While examining videos live on the air, I pointed out the obvious: These were airplanes or small drones, not the large, hovering objects described. Even well-intentioned officials have admitted to misidentifying aircraft as drones due to distrust or frustration with the federal government’s response.
This situation is about more than just sensational headlines – it has real consequences. At Warren Community College, we train students to work in one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Our graduates are landing six-figure jobs in sectors like delivery, infrastructure, public safety and defense. However, false narratives about drone sightings risk stalling industry progress.
Also, I’ve verified with local airport managers that frustrated residents have aimed laser pointers at “drones,” posing a major safety threat to manned flights. These actions stem from fear, not facts, and they endanger lives. Additionally, overreaction to these unfounded claims could result in restrictive regulations that stifle innovation and economic opportunity.
At this point, it’s time for strong leadership from the FAA and other federal agencies. The public needs clear, authoritative communication: There is no credible evidence of large drones operating over New Jersey. Through their early responses, federal agencies failed to stop misinformation from spreading unchecked, and left room for overreaction and even early-stage panic.
The drone industry has too much to offer – cutting-edge technology, job creation and life-saving applications – to be derailed by myths. We need facts, not speculation.
To those concerned: Take a breath, look up and focus on what’s real. For the sake of safety, progress and innovation, it’s time to put this story to rest.
Dr. William Austin is President of Warren Community College and Chief Pilot of Warren Unmanned-Aircraft Systems.
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