Common Details And Themes Connect Violations

Last month we described how the FAA sent notices of violations to 27 operators of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) or drones, along with proposed fines totaling more than $341,000.

The largest fine was $32,700 for an operator whose drone caused a Wesley Chapel, Florida, Sheriff’s Office helicopter pilot to terminate a nighttime search for a burglary suspect to avoid a mid-air collision. The drone was unregistered and did not have an anti-collision light as required at night and was flying above the 400-foot limit.

A fine of $18,000 was issued to an operator for intentionally flying a drone without approval inside a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) near the Miami Grand Prix race. The pilot also lacked authorization to fly within Class D airspace near an airport, had no Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, and operated Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).

Two operators were fined $16,000 and $4,000 for flying near SoFI Stadium in Inglewood, California. Again, they flew inside the stadium TFR, lacked airspace authorization to fly near the airport, and without Part 107 pilot certifications.

Another pilot without a Part 107 certificate earned a fine of $7,760 for flying an unregistered drone INSIDE Paul Brown Stadium over spectators and violating the TFR, without airspace authorization, and BVLOS.

Another pilot without a certificate was fined $5,000 for creating a collision hazard by flying a drone so close to a helicopter that the downwash forced the drone to the ground.

The details described above form a pattern of behavior that includes:

• No Part 107 remote pilot certificate
• Ignoring TFRs and airspace authorizations
• Flying unregistered UASs

All of these are simple, easy, and inexpensive or free to remedy.

With all the publicity drones get these days one wonders why people choose to ignore basic safety and common sense regulations for flying them.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker commented, “Violating the drone regulations puts lives at risk in the air and on the ground. Flying a small drone means you are flying an aircraft, and unsafe behavior will cost you.”

FMI:  www.faa.gov/uas