2026-07585

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: • the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document • the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to • the agency docket number / agency internal file number • the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration • 14 CFR Parts 48, 61, 89, 91, 107, 135, and 137 AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notification of enforcement policy. SUMMARY: This notification announces Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)'s new Drone Expedited and Targeted Enforcement Response (DETER) Program to expedite and increase enforcement actions against small Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operators who violate Federal Aviation Administration regulations. The program establishes prompt settlement procedures for certificated and noncertificated UAS operators who are individuals, first-time violators, and meet the eligibility provisions of the policy. This policy will incentivize drone operators to follow FAA regulations, deterring clueless, careless, and criminal violations of UAS regulations by incentivizing violators to admit to liability and waive lengthy appeals processes in exchange for reduced fees. This policy effectuates President Trump's Executive Order directing zealous enforcement of UAS laws and regulations. DATES: This enforcement policy is effective April 17, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole Zenerovitz, Manager, Aviation Litigation Division, AGC-300, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; phone: 718-909-5863; email: nicole.zenerovitz@faa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Background The FAA's safety mandate under 49 U.S.C. 40103 requires the agency to regulate aircraft operations in the National Airspace System, including those involving UAS, to prevent aircraft collisions and protect persons and property on the ground. On June 6, 2025, President Trump issued the Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty Executive Order (E.O.). Section 6 of the E.O. requires steps to ensure full enforcement of applicable civil and criminal laws when UAS operators endanger the public, violate established airspace restrictions, or operate a drone in furtherance of an element of another crime. This policy furthers FAA's compliance with that order. Pursuant to the E.O., on January 21, 2026, the FAA issued FAA Order 2150.3C, Change 13, Compliance and Enforcement Bulletin No. 2026-1 (UAS Enforcement C&E Bulletin). The UAS Enforcement C&E Bulletin requires mandatory legal enforcement action for all UAS operations that endanger the public, violate established airspace restrictions, or are in furtherance of an element of another crime. The FAA investigates UAS violations and takes appropriate action based on guidance in FAA Order 2150.3C, FAA Compliance and Enforcement Program, and FAA Order 8000.373C, Federal Aviation Administration Compliance Program. Prior to the issuance of the UAS Enforcement C&E Bulletin, the FAA used compliance actions to resolve UAS cases when UAS operators acted carelessly and were willing and able to comply with the Federal Aviation Regulations. After the issuance of the UAS Enforcement C&E Bulletin, most UAS violations are no longer eligible for compliance actions and must be handled with legal enforcement action. When legal enforcement action is pursued for a UAS-related violation, the Flight Standards Service, Office of General Aviation Safety Assurance (AFG) investigates the apparent violation and develops an enforcement investigative report (EIR), which is subject to AFG management review. If AFG management deems the EIR sufficient, it transmits the EIR to the Office of the Chief Counsel's Aviation Litigation Division (AGC-300). AGC-300 reviews the EIR to ensure, among other th…

Fonte: Federal Register (federalregister.gov). Texto original em inglês. Conteúdo sanitizado por segurança.