ABC News reports that federal officials are looking into claims from three commercial pilots about drones being seen near their planes while approaching New York City's Kennedy Airport earlier this week.
A JetBlue flight from Savannah, Georgia, encountered a drone about two miles from the runway on Wednesday, while Virgin Atlantic and Delta flights had their own drone sightings near the runway on Sunday. The Delta pilot claimed the drone missed hitting one of the plane's wings by about a foot. All three flights landed safely.
These real-life scenarios eerily resemble those portrayed in a novel by Florida-based author Joel Narlock. The storyline in Narlock's "Drone Games" involves the use of drones to carry out terrorist acts against American airliners.
Experts from within the aviation industry have weighed in on the drone aspect of "Drone Games":
"'Drone Games' is a well-written work of fiction that is very believable. Drones and UAVs are hot topics in the airport management community today."
-Peter Horton, Director, Key West International Airport
"A fascinating and realistic novel that really got me thinking!"
-Johni Christiansen, a US commercial airline pilot
"Joel Narlock has captured this timely, frightening phenomenon in 'Drone Games' to a T. I highly recommend it . . . with the warning that you may have second thoughts about the next airline flight you take."
-Jerry Sanders, US Army Colonel, retired, US commercial airline pilot, certified flight instructor
"Drone Games" is available in bookstores and from online retailers.
Joel Narlock thrives on asking "what if." He has interviewed US secret service members, top commercial airline pilots, and FAA and military officials about drones flying where they shouldn't.
He was given a private tour of Andrews AFB specifically to evaluate an unmanned drone penetrating its perimeter.
He walked the rooftop of Camden yards stadium in Baltimore specifically to evaluate a drone's ability to target the pitcher's mound.
He predicts that drone technology and usage in America will increase dramatically, hopefully to benefit mankind.
"Drone Games" is a realistic story about using drones for evil. By raising drone awareness, perhaps others will ask "what if" and be prepared to stop those who might actually try similar tactics. And that's a good thing.
Joel is the author of "Target Acquired." He took first place in Key West's 2013 Mystery Fest short story Contest.
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