PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Police were called Thursday after someone was flying a drone over PNC Park during Thursday night’s Pittsburgh Pirates game.

The FAA says they are investigating the incident.

The Pirates say a private citizen was flying the drone from outside of the stadium, along the Riverwalk.

Once it was spotted, the Pirates notified police.

The Pirates say once confronted, the man flying the drone admitted to doing it, saying he thought it would be fun.

Police asked him to take it down and he cooperated.

However, the Pirates say the issue brings up safety concerns.

The Pirates released a statement saying: “During last night’s game, a man standing on the River Walk flew his small, personal drone over the ballpark. Our security staff quickly identified the operator and alerted onsite Pittsburgh Police officers. The officers immediately addressed the issue by ordering the man to stop the use of the drone. The man was informed of the seriousness of the situation and warned that if he returned he would face further police action.”

The FAA has released a statement regarding the incident, saying:

If a UAS flight is not for hobby or recreation purposes, the operator needs FAA authorization. The FAA authorizes commercial operations on a case-by-case basis. A commercial flight requires a certified aircraft, a licensed pilot and operating approval. To date, two operation have met these criteria and authorization was limited to the Arctic. Flying model aircraft solely for hobby or recreational reasons does not require FAA approval, but hobbyists must operate according to the agency’s model aircraft guidance and the rules in the 2012 FAA Reauthorization law.

In a Federal Register notice Monday, we gave examples of what type of flights would be considered as hobby or recreation, and which would not. Using a UAS as part of a business, e.g., photography, would not qualify as being for hobby or recreation. To date, we have not authorized any commercial photography UAS operations.



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