New push to regulate drones with close calls on the rise

It's becoming a battle between manned and unmanned aircraft. In just the past two weeks, four pilots coming in to Los Angeles International Airport have reported dangerous encounters with drones. It's a growing problem not only in California, but across the country. In July, a drone narrowly missed a jet carrying 154 passengers as it approached New York's JFK airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced this week that it's taking action. As of Sept. 27, the FAA had logged 920 reports of drone sightings this year, most coming from commercial or general aviation pilots.

FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker told the U.S. House of Representatives, "We recognize that the technology associated with unmanned aircraft is continuing to evolve. Earlier today, we announced a research agreement to evaluate technology that identifies unmanned aircraft near airports."

Investor Ted Leonsis, who owns the Washington Wizards and Capitals said, "I think drones promise to really revolutionize lots of industries," but he also believes the government needs to regulate drones before it's too late.

"We're one major accident away from basically the government saying, 'We're shutting down the drone industry.' And that would be bad for the economy. That would be bad for all of the people that will one day work in this industry," said Leonsis.

California is working on regulations of its own. According to an analysis of federal data, one in five dangerous drone incidents occur in the Golden State and have been on the rise since last year.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed anti-paparazzi legislation earlier this week preventing photo- or video-taking drones from flying over private property. But he vetoed further restrictions, including a bill that would ban civilians from flying drones over wildfires.

"The technology right now is moving ahead of what government thinks and is doing," said Leonsis. "And because it's our airways, we are in desperate need for some kind of infrastructural support that the FAA can provide us."