Drones Launch Nightly Over SoCal Skies: Who Is Flying Them And Why?

TEMECULA, CA —The spinning lights of large-scale drones in the night sky are becoming commonplace nationwide, from New Jersey to the Golden State. This week, car-sized drones were sighted in Southern California, specifically in San Diego and Riverside Counties.

The sightings triggered alarm, wonder and confusion. The FBI has initiated investigations into large drone sightings nationwide. Patch confirmed the local drone reports this week weren't the work of the military, but may include local police departments or private drone operators taking them out for a night spin across the sky.

On a Temecula Facebook group where residents claim "car-sized" objects fly overhead nightly, each brightly colored and exceedingly quiet. "They would go dark as they would descend," one resident said.

Contributors report daily on the Temecula Talk Original Facebook group. They have sighted drones from Redhawk to French Valley, off Winchester and Benton Road, to Canyon Lake. Others have spotted drones in the Menifee night sky and upwards to Beaumont.

Whether the sighted drones are operated privately or by an agency remains in question. Temecula resident said he saw one "about the size of a car, making no noise at all. They were going straight one direction, then would brake, really quick."

Patch checked with SoCal Edison, various police departments that actively use drones in the area, and the Federal Aviation Administration to learn more about who is flying drones over SoCal neighborhoods and why.

"Southern California Edison flew drones recently to perform routine line inspections between sunup and sundown in Menifee and Murrieta," SCE spokesperson Gabriela Ornelas said. "We know there is a video of drones flying at night, but that would not be SCE-related."

The FAA says they are aware of an uptick in drones flying in most cities nationwide, including Southern California.

"Pilots don't need special permission from the FAA to fly drones provided they operate as recreational flyers or under the FAA’s Small UAS Rule and follow all the applicable provisions," an FAA spokesperson said. Owners of private drones of a specific size must register with the FAA. However, drone operators have no flight plan requirements unless they are flying near an airport.

Along with recreational flyers, a plethora of professional services use drones, from the Murrieta Police Department to realtors and private photographers. Murrieta Police Lt. Jeremy Durant describes his drone force as a fleet. The department launched that program in 2023 with numerous deployments within weeks of initiating it. The Hemet Police Department also uses drones in their Drone as First Responder program. Far more are owned by private citizens.

Another factor in the sightings is the increasing popularity of drone shows in lieu of fireworks. Temecula is planning a nighttime drone show on New Year's Eve.

Patch asked after the FAA's stance on the number of drones in skies over Southern California, including "drone shows," and a spokesperson pointed to regulations.

"Typically, these events require a waiver to the regulation prohibiting operating more than one drone at a time. We thoroughly review each drone show application to ensure the flying public and people on the ground will be safe. Among other things, we review:

• The software controlling the drones
• Procedures on setting up safe and restricted areas to keep people a safe distance from the show
• Procedures in the event a single or multiple drones fail
• Procedures if an aircraft gets too close to the show
• How the operator keeps the drones within a confined area using GeoFencing
• Whether the operator has an adequate number of people to run the show

"The operator is responsible for coordinating with local law enforcement, park police, city officials and others as appropriate," they said.

The FAA told Patch it continues "to support interagency partners in assessing the situation and the ongoing reported drone sightings."

A recent FoxNews report sought answers from both the Biden Administration and nearby Camp Pendleton. The Marine base sent the station a written statement saying:

"We are aware of the drones that are flying over Temecula. They are not associated and do not impact Camp Pendleton’s training and operations."

The Biden Administration has stated that the FBI and other agencies are investigating drone reports, saying, "These are not US military drones. What our initial assessment here is that these are not drones or activities from a foreign entity or adversary."

No one, it seems, knows who is behind the uptick.

One resident who spotted drones in Murrieta, near Copper Canyon.

"One zipped by us, and it was pretty big," they wrote on Facebook.

Another resident added, "Something weird is going on, just like those Chinese Balloons we had."

Beyond reporting the sightings, residents want to know who is launching the drones and why they are flying.

Photographs taken at night from a drone in the Temecula area show the landscape from above. Drone enthusiast Stephen Gibbo shared his views with Patch.

He is a private drone operator of a small DJI Mini 2 that does not require registration if flown for recreational purposes. Even still, he says he follows FAA guidelines, like flying where he can see clearly and respecting airspace restrictions.

"I only fly my drone within line of sight and do not exceed an altitude of 400 feet or whatever is prescribed in the area by California law. Nor do I fly over densely populated areas, crowds, or sporting events," Gibbo said.

Another California FAA-certified drone pilot had this to say:

"All drones from companies like dji have red and green lights on them in order for the pilot to know which way the drone is facing while flying at night," Nicholas Summerlee wrote. "Drones flown at night are required to have a strobe light that is visible from three statute miles away."

Summerlee also added that drones can perform aerial acrobatics feats.

"They can accelerate from a stop to 100 miles per hour in seconds," he said.

He suggests that people stop being worried and educate themselves. "Don't think you know what's going on in the world because you saw a hyperbolic TikTok video."

The FAA reminds residents frustrated by the drones to avoid shining lasers or otherwise attempting to disperse the hovering objects.

"Aiming a laser at an aircraft is a serious safety hazard that puts everyone on the plane and on the ground below at risk," The FAA said. "It is also a violation of federal law. The agency conducts outreach to educate the public about the hazards of lasers aimed at aircraft. The agency also works closely with other federal agencies and state and local governments to report and investigate incidents, help apprehend suspects, and advocate for the prosecution of offenders."

And while the rumor mill spins, one drone operator shared some nighttime photographs he took from his drone this week.

Pilots like Gibbo know others are wondering what is up with the mysterious sightings.

"How many of you all were looking at my drone?" he teased, sharing an aerial shot from his drone on Facebook.

Related:

Increased Drone, Helicopter Activity Planned In Temecula | Temecula, CA Patch

RivCo Cops Test Drones As First Response To 'Clear Calls, Save Lives' | Murrieta, CA Patch

Murrieta Police Utilizing New Fleet Of Drones To Combat Crime | Murrieta, CA Patch

Temecula's Popular New Year's Eve Grape Drop Is Changing: What To Know | Temecula, CA Patch