Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
US restricts drone flights over military facilities
Drones may not fly over 133 sites for security reasons, according to the U.S. aviation safety authority.
WASHINGTON — Drone flights over 133 military facilities will be restricted for security reasons, marking the first time such flight restrictions have been applied only to drones rather than aircraft in general, the U.S. aviation safety authority said Friday.
The restrictions are in response to requests from the Defense Department and other security and intelligence agencies, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.
No specific threat was cited.
While drones can’t fly over the facilities, the FAA’s agreement with the Defense Department permits drone flights below 400 feet high within the side boundaries of the facilities, the statement said.
Small drones in general are limited by the FAA to flights no higher than 400 feet anywhere without special permission.
An attorney for a coalition of companies that wants to make or use drones said the language of the restriction is broadly written and may be used to apply to other types of facilities besides military installations.
The FAA announcement came as a surprise to the drone industry, said Michael Drobac of the Small UAV Coalition. Companies in general weren’t asked for their views ahead of the decision despite efforts to work closely with the agency through numerous committees and working groups, he said.
The “imprecise” language in the new restrictions leaves drone operators uncertain exactly what will be allowed, he said.
An aviation law passed by Congress last year requires the FAA to come up with rules to determine what types of facilities, in addition to military facilities, are safety or security crucial and may be designated as no-drone zones.
The agency was supposed to propose a plan to do that in January, but missed the deadline, Drobrac said.
FAA officials have now set aside their work on rules for flights over populated areas in order to first address the security concerns.
The new restrictions will take effect next Friday. Only a few exceptions will be permitted, and they must be coordinated with the individual facility or the FAA.
Operators who violate the restrictions could be subject to fines or criminal charges.