FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 6, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786

UAS Stakeholders to FAA: Use Full Authority to Apprehend and Prosecute Reckless Las Vegas UAS Operator

ARLINGTON, Va. – In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), stakeholders from the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) community – including business users and government officials – urged the FAA to use its full authority to investigate, identify and apprehend an operator who recently flew a UAS over an airliner making its final approach at Las Vegas McCarran International Airport.

The letter, led by the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), details the importance of strict enforcement of the FAA’s Special Rule for Model Aircraft and Part 107 of FAA regulations and encourages the FAA to work with local law enforcement to pursue applicable charges.

“Strict enforcement will not only punish the operator responsible for this unacceptable and reprehensible action, but will also serve as a deterrent to others for misusing UAS technology and create accountability among UAS operators,” the groups wrote. “Collaboratively, our organizations will continue to educate UAS operators about where they should and should not fly to help prevent similar incidents in the future.”

Other organizations that signed the letter are the Academy of Model Aeronautics, Aerospace Industries Association, Aerospace States Association, Commercial Drone Alliance, Consumer Technology Association, Drone Manufacturers Alliance, Drone User Group Network, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Helicopter Association International, National Association of State Aviation Officials, National Press Photographers Association and the Small UAV Coalition.

The full letter can be found here.

# # #

About AUVSI
The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) — the world's largest non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of unmanned systems and robotics — represents more than 7,500 members from more than 60 countries involved in the fields of government, industry and academia. AUVSI members work in the defense, civil and commercial markets. For more information, visit AUVSI.org.