A Boston resident has been forced to pay a hefty fine after repeatedly using his drone in an unlawful manner. The man was caught by local authorities operating the device near a major airport, which is strictly prohibited due to safety concerns.

A pilot has been convicted of violating air traffic regulations, compromising the safety of military and commercial aircraft.

Thomas Ling, 34, of Principal Highway, Brothertoft, was fined and ordered to forfeit his drone equipment following a guilty plea to four charges at Boston Magistrates’ Court on August 28.

While flying drones can be a popular hobby for many, irresponsible use outside legal boundaries or in restricted zones can have severe consequences for aviation safety, putting planes, crews, passengers, and people on the ground at risk.

To prevent crashes or hazards, drones must remain within the pilot’s visible line of sight, ensuring they don’t collide with constructions or trigger unforeseen risks to aircraft like search and rescue planes or air ambulances, which may suddenly take off or land without warning?

The maximum altitude for most drones is typically restricted to 400 feet. With increasing numbers of drones taking to the skies, there are heightened concerns about the risks they pose to commercial air travel: any drone that flies into the vicinity of a crewed aircraft, typically cruising at heights above 500 feet, poses significant dangers beyond takeoff and landing phases?

The hazards posed by Ling’s excessive drone usage were deemed so severe that flights by the Royal Air Force, Air Ambulance, and National Police Air Service had to be rerouted to avoid flying in the area for several days. Situated just six miles away from the location where the drone was being operated, RAF Coningsby found itself in close proximity to the incident.

A swift and thorough investigation by Lincolnshire Police resulted in the identification of Ling and the confiscation of his equipment, which consisted of a first-person view drone and two radio-controlled aircraft. Between March 1 and June 18, 2024, an investigation found that Ling operated his first-person view drone at elevations of up to 12,178 feet over 26 events throughout the Boston area.

Ling faced four significant fees that significantly impacted her financial situation:

Twenty-five instances of unauthorized flight operations.

Twenty-five instances of violating maximum altitude restrictions, topping out at a staggering 400 feet.

Twenty-six counts of reckless disregard for safety: multiple instances of flying beyond visual range.

Using wireless telegraphy equipment without an Ofcom licence.

A destruction order was imposed on the £1,205 worth of tools seized by the police, along with the hefty price tag.

According to Kev Taylor, Chief Drone Pilot and Security Supervisor at Lincolnshire Police, “While drones offer numerous benefits, their full potential can only be realized when operated responsibly and in accordance with legal guidelines.” The regulations are in place to ensure safe drone operations that do not pose a risk to the broader public or air traffic users.

Ling’s drone was designed to operate at exceptionally high elevations, with a typical flight range of 7,000 to 12,000 feet. The Lincolnshire skies are increasingly crowded, hosting a diverse array of RAF bases, civilian airfields, and aerial activity, including the renowned Crimson Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the Air Ambulance, as well as personal and industrial aircraft operating daily amidst the congestion.

“Ling’s persistent and flagrant disregard for laws and regulations has compromised the safety and security of both the general public and air passengers serving Lincolnshire.”