‘Unsafe behaviour will cost you’
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US has taken a firm stance against irresponsible drone pilots, proposing civil penalties totalling $341,413 against 27 individuals for violating federal drone regulations.
The crackdown comes in the wake of the Reauthorization Act of 2024, which significantly increased the maximum fine for violations to $75,000 per incident. In addition to financial penalties, the FAA retains the authority to suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.
“Violating the drone regulations puts lives at risk in the air and on the ground,” stated FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. “Flying a small drone means you are flying an aircraft, and unsafe behaviour will cost you.”
The fines, issued between October 2022 and June 2024, serve as a stark warning to drone operators who flout safety rules and endanger both air and ground traffic.
Among the most severe penalties was a $32,700 fine levied against an individual who interfered with a law enforcement operation in Wesley Chapel, Florida. The rogue pilot flew an improperly registered and unlit drone dangerously close to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, forcing the pilot to abandon a search for a burglary suspect to avoid a mid-air collision. The offender operated the drone at night without proper certification, anti-collision lighting, and exceeded the 400-foot altitude limit.
Another significant case involved an $18,200 fine for operating an unregistered drone during the Miami Grand Prix Formula 1 event in May 2022. The pilot disregarded a temporary flight restriction (TFR) and violated multiple FAA regulations, including unauthorised operation in Class D airspace and flying without visual line of sight or proper certification.
The Super Bowl LVI in February 2022 also saw drone-related infractions, with two individuals fined $16,000 and $4,000 respectively for operating drones near SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The airspace was classified as national defence airspace, adding to the severity of the violations.
Other notable cases included a $7,760 fine for flying an unregistered drone inside Paul Brown Stadium during an NFL game in Cincinnati, and a $5,000 penalty for creating a collision hazard with a helicopter in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Such enforcement actions underscore the importance of proper training, certification, and adherence to safety protocols when operating drones. The FAA has urged the public to report unsafe and unauthorised drone operations to their local Flight Standards District Office, assuring that all reports are reviewed and investigated when appropriate.
To promote responsible drone use, the agency has made resources available to help pilots operate safely within regulations. The FAA’s B4UFLY app for iOS and Android enables pilots to check where they can fly their drones.
(Photo by Ian Baldwin)
See also: CAA unveils diverse BVLOS drone projects
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