The Federal Aviation Administration has a responsibility to protect the safety of the American people in the air and on the ground.

The National Transportation Safety Board affirmed the agency’s position that unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) meet the legal definition of “aircraft,” and that the agency may take enforcement action against anyone who operates a UAS or model aircraft in a careless or reckless manner.

The FAA believes Mr. Pirker operated a UAS in a careless or reckless manner, and that the proposed civil penalty should stand.  The agency looks forward to a factual determination by the Administrative Law Judge on the “careless or reckless” nature of the operation in question.