A glimpse at DJI's booth at CES 2015 where the consumer unmanned aircraft manufacturer agreed to include information from AUVSI's "Know Before You Fly" campaign with its products. Photo: DJI Innovations.

by Scott Kesselman

Yesterday, the Federal Aviation Administration released unmanned aircraft systems guidance for law enforcement to aid in identifying operators not following the rules of the air.



Under Section 336(b) of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 the FAA has the authority to pursue legal enforcement action against operating model aircraft carelessly or recklessly, endangering the life or property of others. 



“The agency recognizes though that the state and local law enforcement agencies are often in the best position to deter, detect, immediately investigate and, as appropriate, pursue enforcement actions to stop unauthorized or unsafe UAS operations,” reads the FAA document.



The document outlines six recommended actions for law enforcement officials and first responders should take to assist the FAA in situations of unsafe UAS operation. 



The FAA urges local officials to identify potential witnesses and conduct interviews, contact suspected operators, view and record the scene of the event, collect evidence, and identify if the UAS operation in question was at a sensitive location or event. First responders should contact one of the FAA’s Regional Operation Centers about the operation as soon as possible.



The administration notes that the list is not exhaustive.



“Other investigative methods also may prove useful, such as consensual examination of the UAS, equipment trailers and the like. However, other law enforcement processes, such as arrest and detention or non-consensual searches almost always fall outside of the allowable methods to pursue administrative enforcement actions by the FAA unless they are truly a byproduct of a state criminal investigation,” reads the guidance.



The FAA makes it clear that local law enforcement agencies should use independent authority and judgements as well when making decisions in response to unsafe operation investigations.  



The guidance also reiterates that model aircraft operators must follow temporary flight restrictions, such as steering clear of large sporting events. The end of the document provides Notices to Airmen citing temporary flight restrictions that include model aircraft and UAS use. In addition to large sporting events, operators must avoid flying near presidential movements, Washington D.C. and Disney theme parks, each classified as national defense airspace.



The document also recaps the rules under Section 336(a) of the Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 that allows model aircraft users to operate in the national airspace. These rules are outlined in an AUVSI-led safety outreach campaign in partnership with the FAA called “Know Before You Fly.” 



Jim Williams, head of the FAA's UAS Project Office, announced at the Consumer Electronics Show 2015 this week that DJI Innovations, the world’s largest consumer UAS manufacturer, will include KBYF safety information with its products. 

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