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FAA Proposes $1.9 Million Fine For Unauthorized Drone Use
An anonymous reader writes: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has been under pressure to regulate the nascent drone industry. It's obvious they lack a clear idea of how to proceed — but they're trying. Today they announced a proposal to fine SkyPan International a whopping $1.9 million for allegedly conducting 65 unauthorized commercial drone flights over Chicago and New York City. The flights occurred over a period of almost three years, for the purpose of aerial photography. 43 of the flights impinged upon highly restricted airspace, and the FAA says none of them were "without risk." They bluntly allege that SkyPan "operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger lives or property." SkyPan now has 30 days to respond.
Clear policies need to be established, particularly for those who think they can fly their drones over private property at their whim.
Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.
It operated drones without an Airworthiness Certificate. Note quite the same thing as (not airworthy).
Note that very few, if any, of the RC model aircraft that have been flying since before most of you were born had Airworthiness Certificates, and yet there was no screaming, wailing, and tearing of clothes.
Problem seems to be that EVVVVIIIIILLLL!!!! word "drone", not the actual physical object in question....
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