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FAA Proposes Record Fine Against Drone Operator

ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST:

The federal government is trying to crack down on illegal drone use. The Federal Aviation Administration is proposing a fine of nearly $2 million against a Chicago company called SkyPan. It uses drones to take aerial photographs of buildings. The head of the FAA spoke to NPR's Brian Naylor about what's behind the move.

BRIAN NAYLOR, BYLINE: The FAA says, 65 times, SkyPan launched its drones into the airspace above Chicago and New York, which have some of the most restrictive and congested airspace in the country. The FAA charges the drones' operators ignored warnings and repeatedly violated airspace regulations and operating rules. FAA administrator Michael Huerta told NPR that was why his agency proposed the record fine.

MICHAEL HUERTA: It's a very large number of unauthorized operations, and so clearly this is not an inadvertent - you know, someone making a mistake. What we saw here was a pattern of disregard for FAA rules. We saw it taking place in the most restrictive airspace.

NAYLOR: SkyPan's clients are mostly high-rise building developers, including the Trump Tower in Chicago. SkyPan president Mark Segal told member station WBEZ that the proposed fine was ridiculous and unfair and that the company plans to sit down with the FAA to discuss it. The violations occurred between 2012 and 2014. Since then, the company has been issued a waiver by the FAA to operate its drones legally. Huerta says the proposed fine sends drone operators everywhere a message.

HUERTA: What we want to make sure that everyone understands is there are ways to safely operate unmanned aircraft. It is important that you follow those rules. And if you don't follow those rules, we will take enforcement action.

NAYLOR: Congress called on the FAA to issue final rules for commercial drone use by September 30, but Huerta says because of the large number of comments it received about its proposed regulations, it will be early next year before they're ready. Brian Naylor, NPR News, Washington. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR News' Brian Naylor is a correspondent on the Washington Desk. In this role, he covers politics and federal agencies.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.