Few months ago I wrote a post about an US photograph penalized with a fine and an arrest after causing an accident in which one person got hurt. Now it looks like the US gov’ is not letting the ever more bold drone pilots get away with their flying escapades. One Gene Alan Carpenter, 54-years old from Arizona, has been charged with hundering firemen efforts to combat the forest fire. His offense is a federal one, so Mr. Carpenter is likely to get into much trouble. His drone has been confiscated.

This type of behaviour seems to be more and more common in the United States. Many of the US’ citizens can afford a respectably sized and fast drone with HD cameras that they want to put to good use. Unfortunately, every error they make in controlling the machine is a risk to public safety. The photographer I mentioned in the beginning of the post has had his drone crash into a builing and drop right into the crowd of people, injuring a woman on her head. I do not wish jailtime on anyone who just made an accidental mistake and/or was not educated enough, but a serious fine will hopefully make drone pilots be more considerable of other people.

What do you think? Should drone pilots be punished harshly, or should their hobby stay in a free-for-all state?