A 26-year-old Texas man is facing charges for illegally operating a drone near a World Cup event in Houston. John Alexander Meza allegedly flew a DJI Mavic 3 in restricted airspace without a remote pilot license and without registering his drone with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Restricted Airspace

The FAA has established “no drone zones” around stadiums and official fan events for security reasons. Temporary flight restrictions are in place to protect fans, players, and critical infrastructure from accidents and security threats.

Drone operators who enter restricted airspace without authorization can face fines of up to $100,000, drone confiscation, loss of a remote license, and federal criminal charges. The FBI has seized over 500 drones since the start of the World Cup, with many of the seizures occurring in cities hosting World Cup matches, including Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston.

Rules for Drone Operators

To avoid potential charges, drone operators should follow the rules and regulations set by the FAA. There are 11 stadiums hosting World Cup matches that are covered by wide restricted airspace, including SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium near Dallas-Fort Worth. All aircraft operations, including drones, are prohibited within a 3-nautical-mile radius and up to 3,000 feet above ground level, unless otherwise authorized by air traffic control.

Drone operators can check for temporary flight restrictions on the FAA’s website and through the B4UFLY app. Drone remote controls can also warn pilots if they are about to take off in restricted airspace.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.