CHICAGO — The Federal Aviation Administration wants to punish a photography company for crowding Chicago's airspace with drones, the agency announced Tuesday.
Between March 2012 and December 2014, the Chicago-based Skypan International sent out more than 65 drones on "unauthorized missions" in "some of our most congested airspace" in Chicago and New York, according to the FAA. Now, officials want to impose a $1.9 million penalty on Skypan for "violating airspace regulations and various operating rules."
Chicagoans have had a conflicted relationship with drones and their growing popularity. A drone sighting in Old Town in April spooked residents, who trapped the $1,300 device under a lawn chair and called police.
Last week, a video shot with unmanned drone camera mesmerized Chicagoans with sweeping views of our cityscape, and Piece Pizzeria used a drone to shoot a promo video for the 606.
But the FAA wants drone hobbyists to remember that unauthorized flights can come at a steep cost.
“Flying unmanned aircraft in violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations is illegal and can be dangerous,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, according to a press release. “We have the safest airspace in the world, and everyone who uses it must understand and observe our comprehensive set of rules and regulations.”
Anything that flies in "Class B Airspace," meaning anything up to 10,000 feet above sea level near a major airport, should be equipped with a two-way radio, a transponder and altitude-recording equipment, according to the FAA.
"SkyPan operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger lives or property," the press release said.
Representatives of Skypan declined to comment on the allegation, saying they haven't finished reviewing the case.
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