The National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) has found that a collision between a US Army BlackHawk helicopter and a recreational drone was caused by the drone operator’s failure to see and avoid the helicopter and his lack of understanding of safe operating practices. The collision occurred east of Staten Island, New York on September 21,… Read more
The FAA has granted CNN a first of its kind waiver allowing the news network to operate drones over the general public. UAS operations over people not involved in the UAS operation are generally prohibited by 14 CFR 107.39. Similarly, UAS operations at night, above 400 feet AGL or beyond the remote pilot’s visual line… Read more
The FAA reported a substantial increase in the number of unauthorized drone sightings by pilots around and near U.S. airports and other locations. According to the FAA, there were 874 such sightings during the February-September 2015 time period; the number of reports increased to over 1200 for the same period in 2016. Generally speaking, without… Read more
The FAA announced that it had settled a $1.9 million civil penalty case it had brought against SkyPan International, Inc. for unauthorized drone (or unmanned aircraft system (“UAS”)) flights over New York and Chicago during 2012-2014. Under the terms of the settlement, SkyPan, an aerial photography company, agreed to pay a $200,000 civil penalty while… Read more