"Zablidowsky was accused by the FAA of flying in restricted airspace without obtaining permission from controllers and operating the drone in a “careless or reckless manner.”
The airspace designation above that part of New York is the same as for flights using nearby airports, including LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy, according to the FAA.
The agency expects to issue rules by the end of the year allowing unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds (25 kilograms) to fly commercially.
While the rules haven’t been finished, an industry group recommended that such small-drone flights be restricted to unpopulated areas, according to Ben Gielow, general counsel of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, an Arlington, Virginia-based trade group."
Full story by Bloomberg is here.
Comments
Hey guys, I am a member of AOPA, they have something called pilot protection services that protects you from FAA BS like this. I have fought (am currently fighting them) over something not related to drones. This will pay for your lawyer fees. It's 140 per year (including the membership and PPS @99 a year)
I highly suggest it! I do not work for AOPA by the way, but a pilot who needs help from time to time with the FAA.
So through this letter the FAA is trying to establish that it is illegal to operate a model airplane within controlled airspace without a clearance. Even AC 91-57 essentially gives you the go ahead to operate within controlled airspace by only requiring a person to notify the facility ATC when you fly within 3 miles of an airport, yet most facilities have a radius of 5 NM at 400'.
IMO this is despicable on the FAA's part. They are hoping this guy pays the fine which essentially validates the FAA's position. Model Airplanes are not subject to FAR part 91 and the FAA is trying to reverse their long standing position on that through bullying. I cannot wait for the Trappy case to finish appeal and validate my position.
And will there be a similar response by the FAA to the persons responsible for recording other videos from flights over NYC, as speculated in this comment on one of Bill Bonney's blog posts about an article in The Guardian.
My thought exactly Rob, I wonder what it means for class B airspace flier if he pays it. I am surprised the city as not gone after him for some sort of throwing rocks from buildings law (if there is one)
Interesting. $2200. So it's enough to sting, but not enough to force him to hire a lawyer. Smart.
Timing of comments makes a difference... I meant anyone who reads this blog post, not only you Gary M. ! :-)
Before commenting, you may want to refer to previous DIYD blog posts about the incident, here and here and here.
We were sent the letter with the amount of the fine and charges exclusively at sUAS News, we have friends in low places it seems!
Here is the FAA letter to David Zablidowsky
The fine has not happened yet, the important thing about this one is that is was not about commercial use and potentially it stops all RC flying in controlled airspace (Class B) in the USA.