The Federal Aviation Administration is demanding a record fine of $1.9 million from drone startup SkyPan International, as the aerial photography firm allegedly flew drones without the necessary permits.
The claim, which covers 65 drone flights that were said to have been made by SkyPan without permission from the FAA, would be the biggest civil penalty ever lodged on a drone company by the FAA.
SkyPan used drones to fly over areas in Chicago and New York City to take aerial pictures from March 2012 to December 2014, and the company uses the images to create their specialty products of panoramic pictures of the skylines of cities.
According to the FAA, of the 65 flights covered by the penalty, the company made 43 unauthorized flights over the restricted airspace of New York City. The flights did not receive clearance from air traffic control, and the drones used did not come equipped with a two-way radio, equipment to report altitude, and other FAA-mandated gear.
"Flying unmanned aircraft in violation of the Federal Aviation Regulations is illegal and can be dangerous," said Michael Huerta, the administrator of the FAA, in a statement.
Huerta added that the United States has the safest airspace of any country, and so anyone that uses it should understand and follow the rules and regulations to maintain it as such.
"SkyPan operated the aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger lives or property," the FAA alleged, with the greatest fear being that the drones would collide with passenger airplanes.
SkyPan was given 30 days to respond to the enforcement letter of the FAA, but the company already issued a statement that it has been carrying out aerial photography activities for the past 27 years in full compliance with the regulations of the FAA.
"SkyPan is fully insured and proud of its impeccable record of protecting the public's safety, security and privacy," the company added.
The FAA has granted more than 1,400 drone permits to U.S.-based companies, including media outlets and the NFL. Companies looking to utilize drones for commercial applications will need to ask approval from the FAA and abide by certain regulations.
Amateur drone operators, however, are not being regulated by the FAA, with hobbyists not needing to obtain clearances for them to fly their drones.
