Seeing Drones Flying In South Jersey? Here's Why

CAPE MAY, NJ — You might see drones flying around Cape May throughout the next week, but it has nothing to do with last winter's drone craze, federal authorities said.

Instead, it's part of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) testing, which started Monday and runs through April 25, according to a news release.

The drone-detection testing has been ongoing at airports over the past few years and is now expanding to off-airport locations, the FAA said. The FAA’s Center of Excellence for UAS Research (ASSURE) will conduct the testing. The Delaware River Bay Authority Police and other local first responders will also participate.

The FAA will operate several large drones and more than 100 commercial off-the-shelf drones during the two-week period. Testing will take place over the water and near the Cape May Ferry Terminal during the daytime on weekdays only. The public should not fly recreational drones near this area during the test period, the FAA said.

These tests will help determine the effectiveness of these technologies and whether they might interfere with FAA or aircraft navigation systems, according to the FAA.

The FAA conducted the first of these off-airport tests in Alaska and will conduct additional testing in New Mexico, North Dakota and Mississippi later this year.