FAA Scanning The Internet For Violations Of Its Unmanned Aircraft Policy

Since 2012, the FAA has apparently been scanning the Internet for mentions of UAVs and sending the website owners polite but firm cease and desist letters if the flights appear to be commercial uses.

The website Slashdot reports that it got a tip from a second website called Government Attic. A Government Attic user had written to Slashdot anonymously sending a link to a set of the cease and desist letters sent by the FAA to companies using UAVs for such purposes as aerial photography, gas well stack inspection, journalism, and tornado research. In some cases, the FAA became aware of the unsanctioned activity through the companies’ websites, but in others, the agency noted articles in community newsletters had alerted them to the flights.

The letters are polite, but also no-nonsense. In one, Brad Howard, the UAS specialist for the FAA's Western-Pacific Region, said to a photographer using a UAV that he applauds the "innovative use of the UAS,” but  “I must inform you the FAA has taken steps to ensure the public safety regarding all UAS operations. These initial steps take a "do no harm" approach to preserve the world's safest air transportation system." Howard said he became aware of the photographers’ sins through his website.

The letter goes on to say that only hobbyists or modelers are allowed to fly UAVs, and only under certain conditions, in eloquent bureaucratese, and cites their "policy" chapter and verse.

Slashdot reports that, according to Government Attic, similar letters for 2014 are available on request.

The upshot being that, if you've ever shot a video using a UAV that might be considered a commercial use and posted it on YouTube, you might be getting one of those registered letter in the mail.

(Image from file)

FMI: Letters