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FAA missed congressional deadline to create drone regulations; expects 1 million drones to be sold this Christmas

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Three days ago the Federal Aviation Administration proposed an industry-record fine of $1.9 million against an aerial photography company claiming their drone broke the law and posed a safety threat.

What the FAA isn’t being as outspoken about is that on October 1, 2015 it missed a congressionally mandated deadline to set safety rules for drones and integrate them in US airspace.

Making things even worse, according to Aviation Week the FAA expects as many as one million unmanned aerial vehicles will be sold during the upcoming US holiday season.

FAA proposes an industry record $1.9 million fine against aerial photography drone company

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The Federal Aviation Administration issued a press release today announcing the proposed massive fine against SkyPan International for “allegedly unauthorized unmanned aircraft operations”.

The company is being accused of conducting 65 unauthorized commercial flights, which involved aerial photography, over Chicago and New York’s highly restricted Class B airspace.

“These operations were illegal and not without risk,” the FAA said, and the company now has 30 days to respond to the agency.

Shotgun Shells Now Being Marketed Specifically For Shooting Down Drones

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A company by the name of Snake River Shooting, based in Idaho, is now proudly offering ‘”Drone Munition,” a shotgun shell that’s being marketed as an effective solution to being spied on by drones–load the shell, shoot down the drone. Doesn’t get any more simple than that, right? (You know, except for the felony charges and possible fines and jail time you’ll be facing after you blast your first drone out of the sky.)

The Saga Continues: DJI Pushes Mandatory Update Preventing Phantoms From Flying Over Washington DC

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A couple days ago we reported on a DJI Phantom being crashed into the lawn of the White House. News later surfaced that the unidentified man responsible for crashing the drone (who, I kid you not, works for the National Geospacial Intelligence Agency ) was intoxicated at the time of the flight. The New York Times reported the man claimed the drone belonged to a friend who was letting him borrow it. He was attempting to fly the drone from the window of his apartment, which is located near the White House. When the drone failed to come home, the man texted his friend noting he was afraid it may have crashed onto White House property. He then decided to just go to bed.

The next day, the man turned himself in. He was questioned by authorities before being released without being charged with a crime.

Obama responded by recognizing there are a lot of good uses for UAVs, but efforts needed to be taken to ensure they are not dangerous or invading people’s privacy. He also noted the necessity to establish a “framework that ensures we get the good and minimize the bad.”

Some Genius Tried Flying His DJI Phantom At The White House; Crashes It Into Obama’s Lawn

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Anyone who even remotely follows photography related news will know how difficult and trying it has been to get the FAA to establish new guidelines on the flying of drones. The current rules allow individuals to fly the unmanned aircraft for recreational purposes; however, there are very strict regulations in place for those wishing to use the aircraft for commercial purposes. To some, this seems slightly backwards, mostly in part because the public often has the tendency to do stupid things. Things that a trained, professional drone operator most likely wouldn’t do. Like attempt flying a Phantom over the front lawn of the White House.

CNN Partners With FAA To Establish New Protocol For Drone Usage By Photojournalists

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In a statement issued on January 12th, from CNN, the news agency revealed it has teamed up with the FAA in an effort to experiment with various UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles). CNN reports the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA) between them and the FAA will serve as a means to establish new regulations and a framework regarding the safe integration of drones into news gathering practices.

CNN also stated they and the FAA will combine it’s study with Georgia Tech Research Institute, with whom CNN had partnered with in the summer of 2014 to conduct similar research. In the statement found on CNN’s website, FAA Administrator, Michael Huerta, explained the partnership:

“Unmanned aircraft offer news organizations significant opportunities. We hope this agreement with CNN and the work we are doing with other news organizations and associations will help safely integrate unmanned newsgathering technology and operating procedures into the National Airspace System.”

Arizona Real Estate Photographer Is First To Be Approved By FAA To Use Drones For Aerial Photography

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Though you’ve probably already seen your fair share of drone captured real estate photos, up until today, those images were taken illegally according to the policy currently in effect by the FAA. Presently, the FAA restricts nearly all commercial usage of drones. In order to legally operate a drone for commercial purposes, one must first request an exemption from the FAA’s rules. To date, the FAA has issued a mere 14 exceptions from a total of 214 requests.

Douglas Trudeau, a real estate photographer from Tuscon, Arizona, is now the proud new recipient of an exemption, making him the first (and only) real estate photographer on the exempt list. 

FAA to Drastically Restrict Drone Flight (You May Need A Pilot License To Fly One)

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WSJ reports that there are going to be some changes to the laws concerning drones that could have serious impact on photographers and videographers.

The major one is a requirement for a pilot license for commercial work, which is harsh enough, but there is more :

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