A 26-year-old Texas man is facing charges for flying a drone too close to 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).
Restrictions in Place
The FAA has established “no drone zones” around stadiums and official fan events for security reasons. Drone operators who enter these restricted areas 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 multiple arrests made in various cities, including Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, and New York. The FAA is restricting drone usage around fan event locations, including the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Dallas Fair Park, and Rockefeller Center in New York.
Rules for Drone Operators
Drone operators must follow specific rules to avoid potential charges. There are 11 stadiums hosting World Cup matches that are covered by wide restricted airspace. 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. The FAA is using every available tool to protect the airspace, including stronger drone-enforcement efforts.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
