Pleads Guilty to Federal Charge of Recklessly Operating Drone

As previously noted, a CA drone pilot was arrested on suspicion of his having flown his hobby drone into an LAPD helo. Now, this overtly errant drone pilot has pleaded guilty to a federal criminal charge that he recklessly operated a drone that crashed into and damaged the fuselage of a Los Angeles Police Department helicopter. Andrew Rene Hernandez, 22, pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor count of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft. According to his plea agreement, on September 18, 2020, at approximately 12:18 a.m., Hernandez heard police vehicles driving near his residence and a police helicopter flying overhead. Curious about the commotion, Hernandez launched a drone that he owne

Victory for Business Aviation in Final IRS Rules for Management Companies

NBAA's requests for favorable inclusions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), apear to have been answeered... and the association seems happy with what heas resulted to this point -- and will 'provide certainty and clarity for aircraft management companies and owners regarding their federal excise tax (FET) obligations.' In 2017, lawmakers introduced key tax reforms, such as 100% bonus depreciation for new and pre-owned property, including business aircraft. The TCJA also made clear the 7.5% FET on commercial air transportation is not due when owners conduct flights on their own aircraft with a management company’s assistance.