Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Distraction
ATC Issue All Types; Airspace Violation All Types; Conflict NMAC; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Air Traffic Control Provided Assistance; Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Aircraft; Human Factors
Aircraft X; a VFR aircraft inbound from the South; was informed of the local UAS field that is located 3 miles south of the Twin Falls airport. The UAS field was operational at or below 800 AGL. Aircraft X was level at 5500 when he reported a remote controlled aircraft that he estimated to be 200 feet above his altitude and about 3/4 to 1 mile north to his location. The pilot of the UAS was contacted and told of the error. In addition this is the second time; within a week that the UAS operators have been too high. Twin Falls is a location with lots of land and open spaces; I recommend that the UAS Field be relocated to a different area that is not within TWF class delta airspace. In my opinion; it is only a matter of time before we have an accident due to operation of remote control aircraft within controlled airspace. I have spoken to UAS operators and they don't have accurate equipment that displays altitude information in real time. To my understanding they can attach equipment that will tell them what altitude they flew at; however; that is only after they have landed. The UAS within Class Delta airspace introduces unnecessary risk into the NAS. Please look into this issue.
TWF Tower Controller reported of a pilot that reported a UAV was 200 feet above the pilot's aircraft at 5500 feet MSL. Controller reported there is a UAS field 3 miles south of the airport and this was the second time this has happened.