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NEW YORK � The U.S. Department of
Transportation�s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today
announces the largest civil penalty the FAA has proposed against a UAS operator
for endangering the safety of our airspace. The FAA proposes a $1.9 million civil penalty against
SkyPan International, Inc. of Chicago. Between March 21, 2012, and Dec. 15, 2014,
SkyPan conducted 65 unauthorized operations in some of our most congested
airspace and heavily populated cities, violating airspace regulations and
various operating rules, the FAA alleges. These operations were illegal and not
without risk. The FAA alleges that the company conducted 65 unauthorized
commercial UAS flights over various locations in New York City and Chicago
between March 21, 2012 and Dec. 15, 2014. 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.� SkyPan operated the 43 flights in the New York Class B
airspace without receiving an air traffic control clearance to access it, the
FAA alleges. Additionally, the agency
alleges the aircraft was not equipped with a two-way radio, transponder, and
altitude-reporting equipment. The FAA further alleges that on all 65 flights, the
aircraft lacked an airworthiness certificate and effective registration, and
SkyPan did not have a Certificate of Waiver or Authorization for the
operations. SkyPan operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless
manner so as to endanger lives or property, the FAA alleges. SkyPan has 30 days after receiving the FAA�s
enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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