FAA Drops Contested Drone Restrictions Near Federal Mobile Assets
The FAA has withdrawn a contested drone flight ban near federal mobile assets. The move replaces a January notice that threatened criminal prosecution and administrative penalties for some unmanned aircraft operations near federal vehicles and facilities.
The agency issued a new advisory rescinding NOTAM FDC 6/4375 and replacing it with NOTAM 6/2824. The earlier notice barred drones from flying within 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically of certain facilities and mobile assets tied to the Department of Defense, Department of Energy and Department of Homeland Security.
The revised notice removes those specific standoff distances. It instead urges drone pilots to exercise caution near protected federal mobile assets, while warning that agencies may take action that interferes with, disrupts, seizes, damages or destroys unmanned aircraft deemed to pose a credible safety or security threat.
The reversal follows a lawsuit filed by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The case was brought on behalf of Minnesota photojournalist Rob Levine, who said the earlier restriction impeded his ability to use drones to photograph and record immigration protests in Minneapolis; attorney Grayson Clary called the withdrawal a victory but said the litigation would continue.
The FAA said it canceled the earlier notice and issued the replacement to clarify drone operations based on user feedback, not to impose a flight prohibition. The immediate effect is a less restrictive operating environment near federal activities, but the continuing court fight could shape how far the government can go in limiting drone use for security, journalism and public observation.