'High-Level' Federal Investigation Reportedly Underway

Fearing another black eye from yet another irresponsible drone operator, the latest indignity whereby a Michigan based UAV pilot flew into or very close to the flight path of a Blue Angels public flyover, is receiving intense condemnation on social media by drone pilots.

The criticism is pretty much unanimous with drone operators and hobbyists greatly concerned about over-reaction by Federal regulators.

Worse; the pilot in question has apparently, at one point, blamed the Blue Angels themselves for not flying according to what he thought their flight path was supposed to be -- while apparently ignoring his own alleged illegalities and poor judgement.

Inside sources indicate that US Navy and other federal officials are not amused and recommended aggressive investigation and possible prosecution.

The kerfuffle occurred as a result of an online video posted this week showing an exceptionally moronic drone pilot flying his UAV way too close to a Blue Angels flyover.

The Blues were performing one of their highly visible and heavily publicized 'America Strong' flyovers to honor healthcare workers and other heroes in a demonstration flight over the city of Detroit on May 12th when the incident (see attached screen capture from alleged video) reportedly took place.

Posted to Facebook and Instagram (since removed) by Giovanni Lucia (@giolucia), the video (also now removed from YouTube and other locations that it was copied to), at one point, shows a small drone flying in exceptionally close proximity to the Blue Angels who flew slightly above the camera-equipped drone. The video looks perilously close... and even more so when you consider that most consumer drones use lenses that are fairly wide angle... which would make the formation positioned even closer than it might, at first, appear.

It's scandalously stupid and reminds us of the idiot that flew through Controlled Airspace at Las Vegas International airport and other stunts that have made the drone community look foolish, lawless, and out of control.

More responsible members of the drone community downloaded the video before its takedown and started reporting it to federal authorities quickly... and we have renewed assurances that the FAA, FBI, SecNav/US Navy and other agencies are well aware of the incident and investigating, "aggressively."

We'll have more info when available.

FMI: https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/