San Francisco International Airport has a new warning for anyone who is getting a drone for the holidays.
The airport is releasing a public service announcement that specifies drones may not be flown above 400 feet or within 5 miles of an airport.
SFO Director John L. Martin said that drones "pose a significant hazard if not operated properly." He said drones can be dangerous, even deadly, if ones collides with an aircraft or gets sucked into a plane’s engine.
The PSA comes less than a week after a California Highway Patrol helicopter pilot was forced to take evasive action over Martinez to dodge a drone flying between 700 and 800 feet.
The Federal Aviation Administration is reminding operators that they could face fines if found to be endangering people or other aircraft with their drones. Additionally, model aircraft and drones should not be flown for commercial purposes without contacting the FAA.
FAA administrator Michael Huerta said unmanned aircraft operators have a responsibility to fly safely, "just like the pilot of a Cessna or Boeing 747."
Anyone who sees unsafe drone activity is urged to report it immediately to local law enforcement, airport and FAA officials said.
For more information on what's allowed and what's safe when operating drones, go to: www.KnowBeforeYouFly.org.
Bay City News contributed to this report.
