FAA proposes almost $2 million fine against drone operator

SkyPan has 30 days to respond to the FAA’s letter outlining the allegations and proposed fine.

The government is proposing a record $1.9 million fine against an aerial photography company for flying drones in crowded New York and Chicago airspace without permission.

This summer, two men were charged with attempting to use a drone to smuggle contraband into a Maryland prison.

SkyPan mostly operated its flight while the FAA was still working on clarifying its exemption process. After all, an unscheduled UAV flight could interfere with emergency helicopters and low-flying small aircraft like seaplanes, especially if the operator isn’t flying according to FAA regulations on altitude and location.

One reason the fine against SkyPan is so large is because FAA inspectors asked the company to stop making the flights but they continued anyway, FAA spokesman Les Dorr said.

It has granted permission for more than 1,700 operators to fly drones commercially under a waiver program in use while it finalizes regulations.

The FAA said SkyPan conducted a total of 65 unauthorized drone operations in Chicago and New York City from 2012 to 2014. “Until we are able to do so, we are unable to comment on it”.

In August of 2014, SkyPan and several other drone companies filed a lawsuit against the FAA that formally challenged a move the agency made to reinterpret the FAA Modernization Act of 2012.

According to its website, SkyPan uses the drones to take spectacular photos and videos from high in the sky.

A few of the flights were conducted after an FAA inspector had warned the company that it wasn’t permitted to use drones in that way, Huerta said. “The Order is arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion, or otherwise not in accordance with law, in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations, and without observance of procedure required by law”. The technology is useful for city developers, for example, who want to show what a view might look like from a building not yet constructed. “SkyPan’s flights are considered straight up/straight down; the vehicle ascends straight up over private property, has the capability of hovering in place, and then descends straight down”.