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Tue, Apr 11, 2017

Drone Pilots Subject To Fines, Prison For TFR Violations

Multiple Charges Can Be Brought For A Single Flight

Violating a Temporary Flight Restriction area with a drone can result in serious penalties for drone pilots, according to drone attorney Jonathan Rupprecht.

Writing on his firm's blog, Rupprecht says that depending on the type of TFR, drone pilots can face a maximum sentence of one year in federal prison and a $100,000 fine. A pilot certificate can be suspended or revoked, and civil penalties can be assessed in addition to the federal fine.

Multiple violations can be assessed for a single flight. As an example, Rupprecht points to a case in which a Part 61 pilot was charged with violating 91.103 & 91.137 for the same flight by the FAA. The pilot has little defense as he either did not check NOTAMS for a TFR as is required by law, or he did check and intentionally violated the TRF, a federal criminal violation.

Rupprecht has outlined the many pitfalls in which a drone pilot can be ensnared on the blog, with citations. Worthwhile reading for anyone operating a drone in the U.S.

(Image from file)

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