[KNS]

As to the lights being on - unlit drones at night would be nearly impossible to see and these things are flying around at fairly low altitude. Fixed wing traffic taking off and landing at airports and most helicopters would be flying at hundreds of feet - right at the same altitudes these drones are at. As a former air ambulance helicopter pilot we flew low - a lot. Most helicopters are flying low especially if they're on approach or takeoff from a hospital. Hospitals with helipads are everywhere.

*If* these are foreign actors flying these drones they may have thought far enough ahead that they do not want to cause collisions with innocent helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. A collision with a large drone would be catastrophic and most likely fatal for the occupants. If they are foreign actors they may want to go around snooping, gathering intelligence - whatever, but certainly not cause a loss of life.

Right now they're just causing general fear and panic. A collision with an unlit drone would bring an unprecedented amount of resources to halt the flights and the activities would most likely come to a halt.

If it is the US Govt operating these drones as some have suggested they are taking an enormous risk with the possibility of a collision with innocent aircraft. That would be extremely foolhardy.