Aerial photography company facing $2m fine for repeatedly flying its drones in restricted airspace

Skypan, a Chicago-based firm that specializes in aerial photography, is being threatened with a $1.9m fine for allegedly flying its drones illegally over New York and Chicago.

Should the fine actually be implemented, it’ll be more than 100 times larger than any previous biggest punishment ($18,700 levied against Xizmo Media, a New York-based video production company, is the current record holder).

According to US authorities, SkyPan’s illegal flying of unmanned aerial vehicles occurred 65 times over the course of two years. 43 of these flights took place in heavily restricted Class B New York airspace without air traffic clearance. For those unfamiliar, these areas are usually around airports and stretch from the ground up to a maximum of 10,000 feet; they’re often shaped like a pyramid. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told the Associated Press (AP) that their representatives repeatedly contacted SkyPan, asking them to stop the flights, but the firm continued anyway. 

“Flying unmanned aircraft in violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations is illegal and can be dangerous,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We have the safest airspace in the world, and everyone who uses it must understand and observe our comprehensive set of rules and regulations.”

The FAA went on to explain that SkyPan operated its aircraft in a “careless or reckless manner so as to endanger lives or property”. It added that on all 65 SkyPan flights, the UAVs lacked the proper airworthiness certification. 

SkyPan’s production co-ordinator Karl Brewick told the AP that his company has not had a chance to review the FAA’s fine proposal; as such, the company has no immediate comment. 

SkyPan has 30 days to respond to the FAA's proposed fine.

Via BBC