Larry Dighera
October 18th 14, 04:50 PM
<http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/Drone-Enforcement-Will-Target-Certificated-Pilots222908-1.html>
Drone Enforcement Will Target Certificated Pilots
Last week, the FAA issued Change 6
<http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/17213>
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
<http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/15/sport/football/albania-prime-minister-brother/index.html?hpt=hp_c2>,
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.
Drone Enforcement Will Target Certificated Pilots
Last week, the FAA issued Change 6
<http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/17213>
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
<http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/15/sport/football/albania-prime-minister-brother/index.html?hpt=hp_c2>,
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.