Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Trevor Simoneau, Junior
Lead Presenter's Name
Trevor Simoneau
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Aviation
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Ryan Wallace
Abstract
The continued integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to the National Airspace System (NAS) has caused a myriad of challenges to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), UAS manufacturers, and operators. One of these challenges is maintaining the safety of the NAS. To accomplish this critical task, the need for a codified set of rules to govern UAS operations became clear to Congress and the public. Thus, in accordance with the informal rulemaking process prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act, the final rules governing UAS operations went into effect August 29, 2016, enshrined within Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107. Consequently, certificated remote pilots are now required to abide by these new regulations (or other acceptable means of compliance). If they fail to do so, the FAA has enforcement power, derived from its enabling statute, to bring civil penalty and certificate actions against these pilots. Expanding upon work initially commenced by UAS attorney Jonathan Rupprecht, this study analyzes 78 FAA enforcement action cases against remote pilots from 2012 – 2020. The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of specific regulatory violations, the overall nature of violations the FAA is prosecuting, and identify any emerging trends. Preliminary results have found that there are three key violations the FAA frequently prosecutes, with respect to remote pilot operations: airspace violations, flying over people, and loss of control. The research team further provides recommendations for additional policymaking to mitigate regulatory noncompliance by remote pilots.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Causes & Consequences: An Analysis of FAA Enforcement Actions Against UAS Remote Pilots
The continued integration of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) to the National Airspace System (NAS) has caused a myriad of challenges to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), UAS manufacturers, and operators. One of these challenges is maintaining the safety of the NAS. To accomplish this critical task, the need for a codified set of rules to govern UAS operations became clear to Congress and the public. Thus, in accordance with the informal rulemaking process prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act, the final rules governing UAS operations went into effect August 29, 2016, enshrined within Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 107. Consequently, certificated remote pilots are now required to abide by these new regulations (or other acceptable means of compliance). If they fail to do so, the FAA has enforcement power, derived from its enabling statute, to bring civil penalty and certificate actions against these pilots. Expanding upon work initially commenced by UAS attorney Jonathan Rupprecht, this study analyzes 78 FAA enforcement action cases against remote pilots from 2012 – 2020. The purpose of the study is to determine the frequency of specific regulatory violations, the overall nature of violations the FAA is prosecuting, and identify any emerging trends. Preliminary results have found that there are three key violations the FAA frequently prosecutes, with respect to remote pilot operations: airspace violations, flying over people, and loss of control. The research team further provides recommendations for additional policymaking to mitigate regulatory noncompliance by remote pilots.