A video was posted to YouTube last Thursday exhibiting an exceptionally dangerous move by a drone pilot. The version uploaded to YouTube shows a drone quickly climbing in altitude mere seconds before a Frontier aircraft flies under it.
The YouTube video was posted by a concerned drone pilot after seeing the video originally uploaded to a Facebook group for drone enthusiasts. The original video was posted by an account named James Jayo Older, described on the corresponding Facebook profile as an “Entrepreneur / Drone Racer / Professional Fun Haver” living in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Aviation enthusiasts have determined that this recording was taken in Las Vegas, in the approach to Las Vegas’ McCarran International Airport (LAS). It seems the video was shot from over Whitney Mesa Nature Preserve, which is approximately 3.5 miles from the threshold of LAS runways 25L and 25R.
Brian Wynne, president and CEO of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), issued the following statement :
“All UAS operators need to understand their aircraft, stay well-clear of manned aircraft and adhere to the law. AUVSI supports strict enforcement against careless and reckless operators who endanger the safety of the airspace and violate the law. AUVSI is committed to the safe and responsible use of UAS and co-founded the Know Before You Fly campaign with the FAA and the Academy of Model Aeronautics to provide education and guidance to the UAS community.”
FAA said it is aware of the incident and is investigating.
Sources: YouTube & various
Jail, now. No questions, just put this pinhead in jail. There is absolutely no valid excuse for this behavior. None. Swift prosecution and incarceration should be the norm for such behavior.
That was really stupid. But was it really dangerous? What was the real distance between them? I’ve had views like that out my window on commercial flights.