|
|
|
FAA
And Skypan Reach Agreement On Unmanned Aircraft
Enforcement Cases |
| |
January 17, 2017
- The U.S. Department of Transportation’s
Federal Aviation Administration today announced
a comprehensive settlement agreement with SkyPan
International, Inc., of Chicago.
The agreement resolves enforcement cases that
alleged the company operated unmanned aircraft
(UAS) in congested airspace over New York City
and Chicago, and violated airspace regulations
and aircraft operating rules.
Under the terms of the agreement, SkyPan will
pay a $200,000 civil penalty. The company also
agrees to pay an additional $150,000 if it
violates Federal Aviation Regulations in the
next year, and $150,000 more if it fails to
comply with the terms of the settlement
agreement.
SkyPan also agrees to work with the FAA to
release three public service announcements in
the next 12 months to support the FAA’s public
outreach campaigns that encourage drone
operators to learn and comply with UAS
regulations. |
|
 |
The agreement
settles enforcement cases involving a $1.9
million civil penalty that the FAA proposed
against SkyPan International, Inc. of Chicago in
October 2015. It is the largest civil penalty
the agency has proposed against a UAS operator.
Back in October 2015, the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) issued largest civil penalty against a UAS
operator. The the $1.9 million civil penalty
against SkyPan International were do to flight
UAS operations between March 21, 2012, and Dec.
15, 2014.
The FAA had alleged that the company conducted
65 unauthorized commercial UAS flights over
various locations in New York City and Chicago.
The flights involved aerial photography. Of
those, 43 flew in the highly restricted New York
Class B airspace.
“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.” |
|
|
