America’s Federal Aviation Administration FAA has lost its test case against Raphael Pirker known in the RC community as Trappy of Team Black Sheep.
Trappy had been facing a $10,000 fine, with charges made by the FAA that he:
- Operated the aircraft directly towards an individual standing on a UVA sidewalk causing the individual to take immediate evasive maneuvers so as to avoid being struck by your aircraft.
- Operated the aircraft through a UVA tunnel containing moving vehicles.
- Operated the aircraft under a crane.
- Operated the aircraft below tree top level over a tree lined walkway.
- Operated the aircraft within approximately 15 feet of a UVA statue,
- Operated the aircraft within approximately 50 feet of railway tracks.
- Operated the aircraft within approximately 50 feet of numerous individuals.
- Operated the aircraft within approximately 20 feet of a UVA active street containing numerous pedestrians and cars.
- Operated the aircraft within approximately 25 feet of numerous UVA buildings.
- Operated the aircraft on at least three occasions under an elevated pedestrian walkway and above an active street.
- Operated the aircraft directly towards a two story UVA building below rooftop level and made an abrupt climb in order to avoid hitting the building.
- Operated the aircraft within approximately 100 feet of an active heliport at UVA.
However, the ruling in effect means the commercial use of drones in the US is currently legal.
Further reading on this case:
http://www.dronejournalismlab.org/post/78814729933/judge-rejects-faas-drone-ban-now-what
