I am a hobby pilot and had a very negative encounter with a Police Officer during the Indycar GP in Long Beach this weekend. I would like to know your opinion or advise.
I was flying my P2 (incl. FPV with GoPro cam) on a parking close to the race track. No people were on the parking lot, only cars. I flew it for about 8-9 min, mostly between 20-40 ft but never higher than 60ft. I always took distance to the "race track", meaning I was operating the drone only over the parking area. The footage proves it.
Well, after I landed my drone I got handcuffed and my drone incl. bag and all my equipment got confiscated. The officer told me I'll go to jail. Thus, I was kept in a police vehicle for almost an hour, before he then finally released me. I received a ticket with court order showing the following violations:
- 14 C.F.R. 91.13: "Unsafe drone" (..that's what he wrote on the ticket)
- FDC 43621: "Operate drone in violation of flight restriction". (..his text)
Note: I received no document or proof that he confiscated my drone. Also, I was refused to take a picture of my drone and the inside of my bag anymore. He said it is evidence and maybe get it back after the court date, which will be in about 3 months.
My questions:
Is it lawful to confiscate my drone and bag (for this reason)?
What did I do wrong?
- 14 C.F.R. 91.13 (by FAA) actually stand for "careless and reckless operation". It states "no person may operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of another." - I don't know where I had been careless or reckless to endanger the life or property of others. Theoretically, property damages can happen anywhere. Please correct me know if I am wrong.
- FDC 43621 (attachment 1 of the FAA's “Law Enforcement Guidance for suspected unauthorized UAS operations”) is a NOTAM (Notice to Airman) about flight restrictions of "select sport events". In short: All aircraft operations are prohibited of "any stadium having a seating capacity of 30'000 or more people". This NOTAM also applies to Indy Car. - The Long Beach GP is for sure not a stadium (def.: a sports area with tiers of seats for spectators), it is an street circuit in a city. Anyways, no information available about the seating capacity.
What advise would you give to me?
Thanks for your feedback.
-J.