FAA Concerned About the Houston Police Department’s Handling of Secret UAV Test
by John Little on 6/12/2007HPD got pretty testy when a local news helicopter crashed their “secret” UAV test:
Of concern to the FAA, and AOPA, is how the Houston Police Department handled the media during the exhibition flight. The department apparently misled KPRC-2, by saying a NOTAM had been issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. The department then advised the news crew to leave the test area.
“The issue with this test flight was that a Houston Police Department helicopter told the Channel 2 helicopter pilot that a NOTAM had been issued and that their helicopter had to leave the area,” said Williams. “It’s our understanding that an advisory was issued, but that the police ordered them to leave.”
An FAA official, however, confirmed a NOTAM was not issued… adding the agency is investigating why HPD blocked the access by KPRC reporters during the test. “The COA was issued by the ATO, but no NOTAM or TFR was needed. The test was done in Class G airspace,” said Herwig.
According to the FAA, the authorization was issued for one day only for a single flight below 1,200 feet AGL and limited to a two-nautical mile radius. KPRC reported the UAV was circling at 1,500 feet AGL as they followed it in their helicopter for filming.
HPD sounded like they were being more than misleading in KPRC’s original report:
Houston police contacted KPRC from the test site, claiming the entire airspace was restricted by the Federal Aviation Administration. Police even threatened action from the FAA if the Local 2 helicopter remained in the area. However, KPRC reported it had already checked with the FAA on numerous occasions and found no flight restrictions around the site, a point conceded by Montalvo.
HPD leaders said they would address privacy and unlawful search questions later.
Confidence not inspired.
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