SkyPan International Fined $1.9 Million For Alleged 'Unauthorized Operations'

Tuesday, the FAA announced that it was proposing a $1.9 million fine against Chicago-based UAV photography company SkyPan International. It was the largest fine ever imposed against a UAV operator ... by $1,890,000.

SkyPan is one of several companies that is involved in a lawsuit against the FAA that hold that the agency can't make UAV operations illegal in the absence of formal small UAV regulations. The FAA's Congressionally-mandated deadline for such regulations came and went on September 30th.

The website motherboard.vice.com reports that SkyPan has been engaged in aerial photography for 27 years using both manned and now unmanned aircraft. It currently holds a Section 333 exemption for commercial UAV operation granted in April of this year.

But the FAA alleges that prior to obtaining the Section 333 exemption, Skypan flew at least 65 "unauthorized operations in some of our most congested airspace and heavily populated cities, violating airspace regulations and various operating rules. These operations were illegal and not without risk." Many were said to be violations of Class B airspace in New York and Chicago.

The FAA does not list specific instances of alleged violations in its letter to SkyPan, but does appear to have such detailed information.

SkyPan told motherboard.vice.com that it was still digesting the FAA's letter, and could not comment.

(Image from file)

FMI: http://skypanintl.com, www.faa.gov