The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said there had been a dramatic increase in encounters between aircraft and unmanned drones in its latest report, released on 21 August.

It lists pilot, air traffic and citizen reports of possible encounters with unmanned aircraft between 13 November 2014 to 20 August, 2015.

The FAA says it wants to send a clear message that operating drones around airplanes and helicopters is dangerous and illegal. Unauthorised operators face stiff fines and criminal charges, including possible prison sentences.

Most of the 760 incidents listed involved encounters between drones and light aircraft (or, in some cases, no aircraft at all, including one where a drone hit a spectator at a football game). However, a Delta 757 came close to a drone while landing in Boston and another incident in Orlando, Florida on 20 August, involved a B737.

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