The FAA just issued the largest fine ever against a company for flying drones illegally

The Federal Aviation Administration announced today that it will fine SkyPan International of Chicago, a drone company, $200,000 for conducting 65 illegal drone flights in congested airspace over Chicago and New York City. It’s the largest civil penalty the FAA has issued against a drone operator to date.

Originally, the FAA proposed a $1.9 million fine against SkyPan in October. Recode reached out to the FAA to ask why the final settlement is dramatically lower than the previously proposed fine, but did not immediately hear back.

SkyPan advertises itself as an aerial imaging company that can capture a “bird’s-eye view” that’s useful in “dense, urban environments” for developers and architects planning new projects.

The illegal flights were conducted between 2012 and 2014, and the FAA alleged in October that the company was operating drones without proper FAA clearance in some of the country’s most congested airspace. SkyPan was further accused of operating its aircraft without proper communication tools and without receiving an airworthiness certificate and registration.

In addition to the $200,000 fine, the agency announced an additional $150,000 fine SkyPan will be responsible for if it violates FAA rules again in the next year and another $150,000 fine if the company fails to comply with the settlement agreement. SkyPan is also required to work with the FAA to release three public service announcements over the next year to promote FAA rules. In exchange for the fine, the FAA “will make no finding of violation,” according to a statement from SkyPan.

SkyPan’s flights were conducted before the FAA issued its commercial drone operator rules in August 2016, prior to which special FAA clearance was required for commercial drone flights.

The FAA was expected to release its proposal for rules that would clarify how drones are allowed to fly over populated areas in December 2016, but that didn’t happen.

Earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said that in 2016 airplane pilots reported 1,800 drone sightings, up from 1,200 drone sightings in 2015. Drone operators are required to avoid flying near other aircraft to prevent a collision in flight, which could cause substantial damage and even bring down a plane.

Source:-recodea

Saudi Arabia denounces Iran over decision to not send Hajj pilgrims this year

Saudi Arabia has denounced Iran over its decision not to send its pilgrims to the annual Hajj and has also criticised Tehran's demand regarding right to organise demonstrations during the Hajj and to have privileges.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said this in a joint press briefing with his British counterpart Philip Hammond in Jeddah yesterday.

He termed the Tehran's demand as unacceptable as it would cause chaos during the annual event.

Jubeir said, Saudi Arabia annually signs a hajj memorandum of understanding with more than 70 countries to guarantee the security and safety of pilgrims.

However, Iran this year refused to sign the memorandum.

Earlier, Iran's Haj and Pilgrimage Organisation announced that the country's pilgrims would not attend pilgrimage.

Iran has blamed regional rival Saudi Arabia for sabotage and failing to guarantee the safety of its pilgrims. Relations between the two countries plummeted after hundreds of Iranians died in a crush during last year's Hajj.

Earlier, Iran had boycotted the Hajj for three years after 402 pilgrims, mostly Iranians, died in clashes with Saudi security forces in an anti-US and anti-Israel rally in Mecca in 1987.

Source: http://zeenews.india.com

Have sought report on Rafale negotiations: Manohar Parrikar

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has sought a report from the committee negotiating the price for the Rafale fighter jets as India looks at concluding the deal in a couple of months.

In an interview to IANS, the minister also said that concluding the deal by June-July will mean the first of two Rafale squadrons will be in place in two to three year’s time. Asked about the concessions sought by France on bank guarantees, the minister said any decision taken will be “within the legal framework”.

“Whatever happens will be within legal framework, governmental framework, and according to what has been done in past,” he said.

As per reports, Fence has rejected Indian request for a sovereign guarantee or bank guarantee for the deal, and instead offered to provide a “comfort letter” from the prime minister.

“At this stage, I do not want to interfere into or influence the committee that is discussing (the deal). I have told them they should discuss it and put up a report on this… what is the conclusion of the discussions,” he said.

“If the Rafale deal concludes by June-July we will have a squadron of Rafale in two-three year’s time,” the minister said.

He said that deal is in its final stage.

The deal for purchasing 36 Rafale combat jets in fly-away condition was inked during the prime minister’s visit to France last April.

A negotiating team was constituted to decide on the deal and is holding talks with the French side.

The deal comes with a clause for delivering 50 percent offsets, expected to generate business worth at least three billion euros for Indian companies.
Source: Financial express