Feds urge drone pilots to stay clear of hurricane response efforts

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) are urging drone operators to stay clear of emergency response efforts to Hurricane Matthew.

{mosads}As the powerful storm moves along Florida’s southeast coast, drone pilots are being advised to avoid areas heavily affected by the hurricane, especially in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.

Any unauthorized drone operations that interfere with disaster recovery efforts may be subject to civil penalties and even criminal prosecution, the FAA and AMA warned.

Congress passed an FAA reauthorization bill this summer that prohibits unmanned aircraft systems from disrupting any emergency response operations. Drone pilots that are found to be in violation could face up to $20,000 in fines under the law.

The language was drafted in response to numerous reports of drone operators flying too closely to wildfire responders and interfering with emergency-relief activities.

“No one should be flying near disaster relief or recovery efforts, air ambulance or search-and-rescue operations unless they’re supporting those efforts,” Dave Mathewson, executive director of the AMA, said in a statement. “Keeping the skies clear during this critical time will help ensure that first responders can do their jobs safely.”

The FAA may also implement temporary flight restrictions in certain areas near the storm, which is why pilots are being encouraged to check with the FAA’s website before taking flight.