LA Fires Drone Incursion & Collision
- Patrick Hurley
- Feb 3
- 2 min read
This is yet another example of stupid people doing stupid things and stupid people with drones doing stupider things. But it also reveals shortcomings hindering the drone industry and tarnishing its image.
From what I understand, this guy was not Part 107 certified (the FAA’s commercial drone operator certification), so he was flying recreationally. Not that it would have mattered since he was operating within an active FAA TFR zone. His claim of maintaining sight of the drone for 1.5 miles without a visual observer is likely untrue (the Mini 3 Pro is a very small drone), and his excuse about depending on DJI geofencing is also questionable.
While most recreational drone operators act responsibly, irresponsible operators pose an increasing, potentially catastrophic risk. Alarmingly, the only barrier preventing these irresponsible recreational operators from becoming irresponsible commercial operators is a relatively easy FAA exam. Unlike other FAA aircraft operator certificates, obtaining a commercial drone certification does not require a practical test. This needs to change.
Unfortunately, the drone industry risks entering a race to the bottom. Operators who lack skills, sound judgment, and aviation experience, governed by vaguely defined and poorly enforced regulations, currently pose as credible professionals to unsuspecting buyers of drone services. Consequently, many organizations hire unqualified or inexperienced individuals when seeking drone services. Alternatively, they depend on low-paying drone service aggregators that prioritize quantity over quality, which drives down compensation, increases risk, undermines professionalism, and discourages responsible investment in the industry.
Drones will continue to evolve, revolutionizing marketing, facilities management, inspections, mapping, modeling, security, and more. Our current sUAS (small drone) industry is a linchpin for the United States to expedite the advancement and acceptance of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)—both of which are critical to our future, yet on which we are lagging behind other countries.
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