Drone Enforcement Will Target Certificated Pilots

0

Last week, the FAA issued Change 6 to the Compliance and Enforcement Handbook for its inspectors, providing enforcement guidelines for violation of the FARs by drone operators. Among its provisions, it establishes a basis for holding certificated aircraft pilots to a higher standard than other drone operators, potentially leading to harsher punishments for certificated pilots who violate a reg when flying a drone. The FAA said the enforcement bulletin was issued because “there is an increasing number of UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems-drones) operations conducted in the United States that are operated contrary to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements. These operations may create unacceptable levels of safety risk in the National Airspace System (NAS).”

The guidance goes on to point out that the FAA will use its resources to educate drone operators about regulatory compliance and, “when appropriate,” take enforcement action against violators. As is standard practice with FAA enforcement guidelines, the guidance provides a list of considerations an inspector should look at in determining whether to take action against a violator and how harsh the penalty should be. The guidance specifically points out that certificated pilots should know better than to violate an FAR-“a certificate holder should appreciate the potential for endangerment that operating a UAS contrary to the FAA’s safety regulations may cause.” Therefore, the guidance provides that if the offender is a certificated pilot, her or his status as such may be considered an aggravating factor when considering the sanction to apply. Sanctions are ordinarily civil penalties, which are essentially fines. However, if the violator is a pilot, the guidance allows the FAA to pursue action against the pilot’s airman certificate, including suspension or revocation.

Providing a bizarre juxtaposition to the FAA’s concern with stupid drone operator tricks creating safety risks, a moron-with-drone triggered a riot at a major international soccer game between Serbia and Albania in Belgrade, Serbia, yesterday. According to CNN, the brother of the Albanian prime minister operated a drone flying a flag depicting “Greater Albania” over the crowded stadium. At one point he flew it low enough over the soccer pitch that a Serbian player grabbed the flag. The player was attacked, a brawl ensued and fans stormed the field. After more than 40 minutes of mayhem, the game had to be abandoned. The drone operator was arrested and sent home to Albania.

LEAVE A REPLY