FAA Proposes $341,413 in Civil Penalties Against Rogue Drone Operators: sUAS News

The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed a total of $341,413 in civil penalties against 27 individuals for violating federal drone regulations. Between October 2022 and June 2024, the FAA imposed the fines.

Drones operated by individuals conducting unsafe or unauthorized flights are subject to fines of up to $75,000 per violation, with penalties increasing according to regulations set forth within the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidelines. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) can also suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.

“While careless use of drones poses a significant threat to both aerial and ground-based safety, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasized the importance of adhering to regulations, stressing that violations put countless lives at risk.” “Flying a small drone requires careful consideration, as the risks are similar to those of piloting a full-sized aircraft, with reckless operation potentially costing you.”

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recommends that citizens report instances of unsafe and unauthorised unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations to their local authorities. The company thoroughly evaluates all experiences and conducts investigations whenever necessary. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) possesses valuable resources to support safe flight operations for individuals.

The Federal Aviation Administration does not target individuals when proposing civil penalties. Notwithstanding the numerous enforcement scenarios that present themselves, there exist a multitude of instances where regulatory bodies must intervene to ensure compliance.

• A $32,700 fine is being issued to an individual who compromised the success of a law enforcement operation by flying an unregistered and uninspected drone on September 12th. February 22, 2021, in Wesley Chapel, Florida. A drone operator’s reckless decision sent a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office helicopter screeching to a halt in pursuit of a burglary suspect, narrowly avoiding a catastrophic mid-air collision. Without a valid Distant Pilot Certificate, the individual conducted an unauthorized evening operation, lacking essential safety features such as anti-collision lighting, and exceeding the permitted altitude of 400 feet.
• The fine is $18,200 to an individual who operated an unregistered drone throughout the entire weekend of the Miami Grand Prix, a Formula One event, on May 7, 2022, in Florida? The operator flagrantly disregarded a temporary flight restriction (TFR), multiple FAA regulations, and worked in Class D airspace without prior clearance, compromised visual contact with the aircraft at all times, and lacked a Distant Pilot Certificate.
• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fined two individuals $20,000 total ($16,000 and $4,000) who operated drones close to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, despite a Momentary Flight Restriction (TFR) being in place for Super Bowl LVI on February. 13, 2022. The airspace was categorized as national security airspace, but operators flew drones without permission in Class B airspace, lacking both necessary authorization and remote pilot certifications.
• A $7,760 fine was levied against a person operating an unregistered drone while capturing footage from the vantage point of the first-person perspective within Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 15, 2022. Without authorization or certification, the pilot flew above the stadium during an evening NFL game, neglecting to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate and violating Momentary Flight Restrictions by flying beyond visual line of sight without an approved FAA airspace waiver. 
• The FAA is offering up to $5,000 to an individual who reported the incident where a drone was flown near a helicopter in Little Rock, Arkansas on July 30, 2022, posing a potential collision hazard. The small drone plummeted to the ground, its rotors stalling in a catastrophic failure caused by the turbulent air currents generated by the nearby helicopter’s rotor wash. The drone operator lacked a required Distant Pilot Certificate.