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By Jesse Jones, The Paper. — Leave your drone at home if you plan to capture the hundreds of hot air balloons painting the sky at this year’s Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Federal officials have established a temporary no-drone zone around Balloon Fiesta Park and warned that unauthorized operators could face steep fines and other penalties.
The Federal Aviation Administration established a temporary flight restriction for the Fiesta, which runs Oct. 3 through 11. It covers a 4-nautical-mile radius around Balloon Fiesta Park, up to 8,000 feet in altitude. No pilot or drone operator may fly inside the designated zone without prior clearance from Air Traffic Control at the Albuquerque Tower. According to an FBI press release, the FBI Albuquerque Division, FAA and Albuquerque Police Department are coordinating to have personnel in place during the Fiesta to enforce the restriction. The bureau said authorities will use counter-drone technology authorized under the SAFER SKIES Act to track unauthorized flights, with trained state and local partners helping detect and respond to drone activity.
Roberto E. Rosales / New Mexico News
Drone operators who violate the restrictions face FAA enforcement, including drone confiscation, loss of pilot certificates and civil fines up to $75,000 per violation. Criminal penalties can include fines up to $100,000 and up to one year in federal prison, the FBI said.
The FBI recommends that operators check active airspace rules before flying through B4UFLY services. Anyone who sees an unauthorized or unsafe drone during the Fiesta should report it to 911, on-site law enforcement or the FBI at (800) CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.