Philadelphia YouTuber faces $200,000 in penalties over drone usage

A Philadelphia KZbinr known for aerial videos is facing up to $200,000 in penalties after the federal government says he's been flying drones dangerously across the city.
6abc.com/micha...

[@sputniksam]

Who has the highest body count? This guy in Philadelphia? Or Boeing?

[@aloeisthestuff9622]

That stupid high speed train running in Florida now. The Media is hiding how many have died by it.

[@SuprDlux]

Truth^ the hipocrasy is embarrassing for the FAA

[@babybirdhome]

That’s not really the strong argument you think it is. Boeing wouldn’t have gotten in trouble either if they had not violated the regulations they’re required to follow. Every regulation is written in the blood of someone who was innocent.

[@musicmaestro88]

​@babybirdhome lol. No every regulation is not. You have no idea what you're talking about.

[@vicweast]

Your comment evidences your tender age

[@xjet]

Hmmm... here's a guy flying a 249g drone who's never actually injured a third party nor damaged their property but he's being hounded by the FAA for his evil deeds -- while Boeing seem to be free to endanger the lives of thousands through shoddy safety practices. To be honest, I'd rather be hit by Michael's 249g drone than the door plug falling from a Boeing 737 Max 9. I also see what appears to be a significant upswing in the number of aircraft crashes recently (onto freeways even). Might it be that the FAA is simply trying to distract the public from the *real* safety issues plaguing aviation right now by vilifying this guy in the public spotlight? Let's hope that the public (and a judge) aren't as easily fooled as the FAA might wish they were.

[@jayjacobl4667]

by giving this guy the green light to do whatever he wants and break the rules, you're giving everyone else the green light too. the laws are in place for a reason. if you don't set an example with this guy, then there's nothing stopping random joe schmo from flying his drone into power lines, or accidentally (or purposely) hitting a heli, or dropping bleach on opposing teams next season when the eagles play again.

[@xjet]

@@jayjacobl4667 I've said many times that *I* would not fly where/how he does because my risk threshold is much lower. However, the FAA really does have much more important things to focus on right now than some guy with a plastic drone making KZbin videos. Remember that the flights which *do* involve the use of a sub250g would be totally legal in Canada but are illegal in the USA. So who's to say that the FAA is right and Canada is wrong when it comes to the restrictions they impose? The reality is that despite people/idiots doing things far more outrageous than the stuff Mikey is supposed to have done, there hasn't been a single death caused by the recreational use of multirotor drones and very few evidenced instances of property damage. The FAA's actions are way over the top -- for instance, why was it illegal to fly a sub250g drone 29 MILES from the Superbowl stadium during the event? It's hard to respect a regulator or their regulations when they demonstrate how clearly out of touch they are with reality. Would I fly over a city like Mikey does? Hell no. But then again, I wouldn't fly in an ultralight or paramotor, as I said, my risk threshold is too low. Despite my own low threshold, virtually all my flights are "illegal" from the perspective of the local regulator because, just like the FAA, they refuse to acknowledge the intrinsic safety of what we do.

[@jayjacobl4667]

​@@xjet We have rules in society to handle the stupidest/worst of humanity, and we expect everyone, not just the stupid/worst to abide by those rules for the sake of society. I have no problem w/ what this guy does. But again, there's just too much potential for harm with an idiot behind the controls, either purposely in some sort of terroristic act, or because they're too stupid to be trusted with basic common sense. Perhaps the FAA rules are a bit too strict. But this guy broke them, and allowing people to freely break rules like that is not a good precedent. If you have a problem with the rules, then protest/contest them, don't open the floodgates for any idiot to challenge them and put people in potential danger by not enforcing the rules.

[@AlienDrones]

There's this guy in New Zealand I saw who keeps flying drones and getting hounded by his local authorities too. It's an epidemic I tell you, an epidemic...

[@xjet]

@@AlienDrones I heard that too. However, he's even more of a worry than this guy in Phily because apparently he built his own cruise missile (aka kamakazi drone) over 20 years ago! OMG... where is the world headed?

[@bren42069]

Breaking some rules, ok fine. But 200,000 DOLLARS ?? absolutely unhinged

[@cakeman58]

He said he took the certification and so he knew the risks of breaking the rules.

[@udornyc]

@@cakeman58 You are correct, he took the TRUST - The Recreational UAS Safety Test, which gives enough info to know he is using drones in a manner that is illegal, if you don't have "the other" certificate, he needs for commercial work..

[@udornyc]

Each violation is $1,500 or more! If you ignore the rules, and keep on violating the rules, each instance accumulates. That's how Mickey reached this sum! Simplified math: $200,000 divided by $1,500 equals 133 violations. If each illegal flight carries, say 5 violations (e.g. Remote Pilot in Command without a certificate, flying in restricted airspace, flying above permitted ceiling, etc.) you could reach that sum in 27 illegal flights. You can play with the numbers, but I think this gives an idea. You just can't interpret the rules how they fit your own ideas. Sooner or later big brother comes down on you!

[@cakeman58]

@@udornyc Truth

[@RailBuffRob]

​@cakeman58 I took the same test, it's called the TRUST exam, it's a quick online quiz that focuses on the common sense rules and doesn't even get into actual laws, regulations and penalties. I'm not saying this guy is innocent, he should have researched the laws, but in my experience it's not as easy as it should be to do this research.

[@RevvedUpRy]

There's so much they could focus on cracking down on and they choose this

[@TheJoeyboots]

Agree

[@kentao4]

Agree. He’s borderline but he shouldn’t be a target.

[@kapplerphoto]

Flying around the Penns Landing heliport from 3 miles away isn't borderline @@kentao4

[@jeremyboyce1537]

Yep ! Amazing!!!!

[@kmoecub]

He violated FAA regulations. He also apparently didn't bother to get his part 107 license which is required for anyone who engages in attempting to make money from the use of their UAV. The regulations are in place in order to keep the public safe. The most egregious violation was flying in controlled airspace without getting authorization, and that's where the biggest fine is coming from; all the rest is there to bolster the case that he is not a responsible pilot and the airspace violation was not a simple mistake. Pilots like this are why such regulations were enacted in the first place. Flying is a privilege, and if enough people act recklessly that privilege might just be taken away from all non-commercial UAV pilots.

[@sim2g]

While true criminals ruling whole blocks. Sickening.

[@TheJoeyboots]

Yup go figure

[@divingfalconfpv4602]

Yo I know a guy caught robbing a bank (not armed). Got arrested went to court. They let him go and no fine. Not even his first arrest or court charges 🤣 .. If he just robbed a bank with the drone they'd let him go

[@vicweast]

I'm sure it works like that. Right...@@divingfalconfpv4602

[@DigitalConfusion1]

The FAA is not concerned about what goes on in city blocks relative to crime. Let's stay relevant here.

[@Leyenda1]

Facts.

[@budt525]

Disney should hire this guy as a voice actor. He was born for this. Also is aerial photography is second to none. He is truly gifted and a sweet guy to boot..

[@DigitalConfusion1]

His aerial photography is SECOND to NONE? You need to get on KZbin more.

[@kevinsdroneadventures6242]

It might not be up to your standards, but his videos are pretty well done.​@@DigitalConfusion1

[@darthvaydr]

I disagree. He breaks tons of rules while flying his drones which is NOT a good thing for our hobby. Drone pilots are already having a tough enough time keeping the government off our backs and from banning drones. We don’t need a clown like this breaking rules and being as reckless as he is. Not a fan AT ALL.

[@RonaldBrown59]

Almost all these charges are from when he used to livestream his flights, which he quit doing years ago. And if he wasn't posting his flights to KZbin, would anybody even know he was flying?

[@KOrnhOliO1]

Yeah, like he's done ANY harm to ANYONE OR THING at all. Nope! Just got to harass and fine a poor guy with a hobby, having fun and being entertaining! Sheesh! What an utter waste of time!

[@coach77060]

Very true, Ron.

[@caliman777]

North Korea

[@aloeisthestuff9622]

Stalins Russia and Hitlers Germany combined.@@caliman777

[@DigitalConfusion1]

@@caliman777 Oh yeah, great comparison. Keep trying.

[@zippydoo9533]

Action news should hire that guy.

[@kentao4]

I’ve seen a lot of his videos. I haven’t seen him do things that I haven’t seen others do except fly into himself lol

[@marksalamack6133]

Except this guy has been told for about 4 or 5 years to knock it off by the FAA, and has defied them

[@kentao4]

@@marksalamack6133 I don’t disagree. lol.

[@fj1100mark]

Not exactly impartial and didn’t even mention the fact that a local newspaper has written an article which exaggerates the FAA opinion. Unfortunately many people at the FAA do not understand their own Drone regulations either. and you should get your facts straight it is not a license. It is the part 1 07 certification There is no such thing as a drone license. it feels that yet again, we are subject to the news doing what they do best and sensationalising something.

[@nightlightabcd]

Give em time! If these current restrictions are not enough to clear the skies of hobbies, then a license may be next!

[@larrybenedict4984]

The “news”/journalism these days don’t look into the stories they report or do really any kind of accurate investigating so this is par for the course unfortunately. I personally don’t trust a single word they “report”.

[@DigitalConfusion1]

Part 107 Cert or hobbyist, doesn't make a difference. Was he flying line of sight in every video? Was he flying above 400' in some videos? If you don't know what that means, even for a hobbyist (non 107), read up.

[@only1muppet]

I think the 200,000 in fines isn’t hyped up and if this guy didn’t break any rules. This story is spot on

[@jameshoward8609]

@@DigitalConfusion1 Well to answer your questions... we don't know! He could have been in line of sight with just good editing. Was he flying over 400 feet? Well that would depend on what he is filming. If the building is 500 feet tall he can still fly 400 feet above it as long as he is not in restricted airspace. 107 is only needed for a drone over 249 grams or for commercial use. Some of us have studied the rules we just don't agree with them. We have been flying since before their were rules.

[@funkynerd_com]

They didn't say in the video, but how many people died from his dangerous illegal flying?

[@KOrnhOliO1]

Not even one got injured!

[@hookmasterL]

That’s the point McFly, the FAA is trying to make sure no one ever gets hurt. Just cause you live in mom basement doesn’t give you the right to flaunt rules and regulations which exist to keep us all safe. Pilots who refuse to abide by those requirements are a danger and they deserve to have the FAA make examples of them.

[@dronedude9523]

His KZbin drone filming career died, that's for sure.

[@DigitalConfusion1]

@@hookmasterL These people don't get it. Probably the ones that may have drones and are arguing may violate the rules themselves. Just a guess...

[@DigitalConfusion1]

@@dronedude9523 If he would have done it legally and listened to the warning, he wouldn't have been in this situation. Simple. Like the guy who purposely crashed his plane for KZbin views and then got busted. Can't recall his name.

[@Mysticbladegod]

Government overreach

[@chrissullivan3638]

Any publicity is good publicity. The government sucks. Going after the little guy and not charging politicians that literally defraud us… come on …

[@w.e.s.]

Hes done some wild stuff but breaking rules is really border line arguments. Ive watched him for 3 years and never noticed rules being broke. Hey how about the next time somebody gets ran over by a drunk driver or someone texting send them a 182000 dollar bill... maybe it will start to save lives. Fireworks r more dangerous then drones. As a community we need to support the guy bc hes hurting NOBODY!!!!

[@UpTheAnte1987]

0:56 Turns in to Al Pacino 😂

[@MrLegendra]

Philly will prosecute this but not thieves or murderers

[@flintstone2975]

Sad because the guy has legit flying skills. Haven't seen all his videos but I'm sure he broke "some" rules. That said it feels like his defiance was met with a bit of piling on. It'd be nice to see a guy like this turn it around by getting licensed and get a job filming legally in the film industry or television. Make some money to pay off whatever proven violations he committed. It is an expensive hobby that he wanted to earn a living from and went to extremes to get attention. I have no idea what other skills the man has but he has the precision flying skills needed to create cinematic videography. Hoping the judge doesn't bury him and more importantly, that he learns something from this and something good comes to turn his life around.

[@VanderJam]

He's broken like all the rules.

[@pdtech4524]

​@@VanderJam What harm has been done? The fine is not proportional to the threat or risk! Have you never broken any rules?🤔😲

[@airadaimagery692]

@@VanderJamyeah, all the rules that were written with zero risk assessment. An overreach in power.

[@digitaltitan]

Some of his earlier videos had him flying above the clouds , over the 400ft limit.

[@pdtech4524]

@@digitaltitan and no harm was done! Which just goes to confirm the risks are minimal.🤔😲

[@slapdat.byteme]

The only error in judgement I see is extended flying over areas where people are likely congregated or walking below. Best to avoid that; at any moment a motor can quit, a bird can strike, a prop can fail, or a battery cell can drop voltage quickly.

[@highrider9168]

With all due respect, we have heavy vehicles doing 20+mph next to us on the sidewalk. Big rigs, SUV's cars trucks etc...if they crash, horrible damage. Public is used to that risk. Sub 250 mainly should be considered nothing to worry about at all. Above 250g should have a warning siren that starts when it fails or crashes and also can be activated by the pilot during emergency. Other than that, we all have to accept the risks. Especially considering the size of aircraft literally taking off and landing at airports surrounded by residential and businesses. 😅

[@highrider9168]

​@@slapdat.byteme 1) it is called inherent risk. It's very comparable because the airlines have used it in court cases. 2) never said they didn't, just they were nothing to worry about in comparison to above 250g. 3) plenty of devices etc have failsafes utilizing a separate and reliable battery. 😂😂😂 It activates when triggered by a power loss or can be programmed to activate during an event such as motor seize/cease. 4)The number of drones crashes. Vs The damage caused by 1 airline crash. Not even comparable. They may have a better flight record, but in gross weight alone and sheer damage it's not even close. Your comment doesn't hold water my friend.

[@highrider9168]

I'm guessing you yield to my logic?

[@RESISTAGE]

"could've should've would've" will fall apart in court in seconds.

[@slapdat.byteme]

@@RESISTAGE Then you should go ahead and plea deal… or wear your bungjole chastity belt. 😎

[@airadaimagery692]

They’re trying to stop people like this, who actually have skills in operating a drone, just to give way to the big companies like Amazon fedex and UPS. They claim everything he’s doing is unsafe, at the same time trying deploy hundreds of delivery drones in the skies carrying packages over the same routes. Meanwhile, Boing is losing parts off their planes and they’re landing in peoples yards. Crazy times we live in.

[@dronedude9523]

I can't see how risk versus reward would ever make package delivery via drone worth it. What is the furthest distance away a deliver could be made from the center? What happens if there is bad weather along the route? Trees all around a house when trying to land..... etc etc. Just sounds like a cool idea that would have so many individual nuances like flying time to and from to consider instead of just driving it over with a vehicle and making multiple stops.

[@airadaimagery692]

@@dronedude9523 I totally agree, but it’s steadily being talked about and configured for the future, but the bottom line is that the FAA/gvmt is trying to put an end to hobbyist drone activity, regardless of their reasoning. They are strategically attempting to take our rights away. I can care less why they are doing it.

[@hexagonsun]

let Artie Lang fly his drones

[@KenWen-bu1db]

Money to his bookie

[@Emuspaul]

This is "de jure" vs. "de facto," because in fact reality, commercial real estate jobs require flying out of sight and over people and traffic all the time.

[@droneshots8247]

It all just a show he is a great guy...and flys safe....shoots amazing video and he dont put people in danger...if anything Philly should give him his own talk show...

[@TheJoeyboots]

Yes he is a home grown talent that needs to be developed not destroyed!

[@dronedude9523]

@@TheJoeyboots Curb your drone enthusiasm would be a great title for his own sit com. He could battle Karens, FAA, city council and others based on his weekly flights. JB Smoove could play the role of Stew

[@DigitalConfusion1]

By not listening to the rules and regualtions (including serious warnings), he forfeited his chance to move out of mommy's house.

[@TheJoeyboots]

@@DigitalConfusion1 Your channel has no content so STFU. Go away troll.

[@jamesdrone69]

@@DigitalConfusion1 lol a 60 year old shouldn’t be in mommy’s house anyway, time to move out lol!

[@redbaronfpv8555]

He acts surprised about this. This man was warned by the FAA several time over the YEARS and he made the decision to keep doing it over and over. He brought this on himself. All he had to do is stop when he was warned and he would not have been find.

[@TheEgg185]

Stop doing what? What did he do wrong?

[@appropriate-channelname3049]

Why should he have to stop? Also shouldn't the punishment meet the crime? 200k for not even breaking a law. He broke a federal agency made rule. No lawmakers wrote or voted on that law it was literally just made up to attack the little guy.

[@flyingdroneswiththescoob9488]

While i think the price tag is crazy and i do feel sorry for him..... However flying up to 3 miles away from you breaks the vlos rule and flying at 2700ft above the clouds breaks the 400ft rule, editted or not its sadly the 2 biggest rules that are being clamped down on and doing it/posting on KZbin is a sure bet to get the lads knocking on your door..... The inforcement is a newish thing and i fear they are going to make him the example

[@larrybenedict4984]

And not to mention it, but that sort of behavior ruins it for the rest of us. Eventually enough bone heads doing this sort of thing, and drone flying will be banned all together.

[@DigitalConfusion1]

@larrybenedict4984 That is exactly the point. Most people commenting here can't see the whole picture and probably few actually own real drones.

[@jamesbridges7750]

​@@larrybenedict4984get your point, but at the same time your mentality is just as much to blame for incremental loss of rights . VLOS is easily 10years out of date and something big corporations don't comply with in any of their projects(delivery,inspection, etc) and increasingly not even piloted. It's the Elmer/Fudd mindset that will kill drones just like it almost did guns, and is still doing to HAM.

[@CoffeeBeanGuy54]

I was hired by a town to film a video for their boardwalk back in 2016. Out of nowhere, Trump's presidential helicopter and other military aircraft flew by very low, as they were visiting our Navy base, and my drone was at the same height, literally 100ft away from them. It was super close. Anyhow, hardly anyone flying these drones are following the laws. They can fly as high as airplanes and miles away. You think people aren't going to use their capabilities? The most popular drone videos on KZbin are people breaking the law with them, capturing amazing shots, like this guy next to the train on the bridge.

[@Mark-qt5ux]

its not hurting him, he's not actually hurt, just because you are weak dose not mean everyone else is like you! keep your fears and insecurities to yourself, you are being annoying and bothering him

[@quantumphaser]

City of Brotherly love.

[@gtheo3]

He took the FAA safety course and it is very clear that the flying he was doing is not legal. Like not even close to legal. He could’ve done most of it legally but opted not to & got called out for it. Not really fair to others that opt to follow the laws either.

[@monztermovies]

It was Stu flying, not Mikey boy. Go find Stu.

[@TheStrangeKage]

Can we all agree there is a weaponized judicial system going on here. This is how they get compliance. Might as well fine him 83 million. Or 355 million!

[@KenHeron]

Isn't there an FAA rule that says: "Eight hours glass pipe to throttle"?

[@dronedude9523]

That's a pretty tacky response.

[@kmc9799]

He's way out of line here. He has shown a blatant disregard for FAA regulations. People like him are the reason that city and state governments keep trying to restrict drone use for those who have certifications. People like him are the reason that people who are doing the right thing are harassed by local cops when they try to fly. If he had bothered to spend a fraction of what one of those drones cost to get a commercial license, then he would have been allowed to do a lot of the things he was doing. But he apparently couldn't be bothered to actually take the time to learn how to fly safely.

[@bthomp118]

Why does he have thousands of dollars to spend on drones if he’s on welfare? I don’t want my hard earned money going to buy someone else’s drones. I only have one and I work and make my own money.

[@jburddrone7202]

You’re absolutely right and plus he drives a new 55k dollar Cadillac

[@baconking1160]

The constitution protects you from excessive fines. 180k 4x his income is insane.

[@alanadams4025]

"Romero maintains that the FAA repeatedly warned DiCiurcio and that the agency “counseled and educated” him, but to no avail. She’s seeking an injunction to put a stop to DiCiurcio’s illegal drone maneuvers. And she’s also asking the judge to enforce a $1,501-per-violation fine which, as she tallies it, comes to $182,004."

[@kermiehilflipper1474]

Stay anonymous and no one would know who you are......but welcome to the other side fam......my people ain't got nothing either but they take from us every day 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@gilwood7530]

You must be a shop owner that gets looted everyday

[@kermiehilflipper1474]

@@gilwood7530 yeah, I'm a shop owner 🙄

[@caliman777]

Please leave Britney alone 😭

[@jjmcwill1881]

Im a part 107 license holder and im still confused on the laws.

[@ironspider3061]

Let the man fly no one has got hurt we got criminals on the streets to worry about that actually hurt people

[@MsMakeupJunkie]

You have nothing but you purchased a drone and I’m sure the revenue from views is also incom….this guy talks too much

[@jayjacobl4667]

@@plowe6751 exactly this. off-the-shelf drones have the potential to cause a ton of harm very easily. letting people have free reign over the skies is not a good idea.

[@JohnRangel-if2qm]

yea, lets peep in windows too, nobody will get hurt.

[@o0ashley0o]

@@plowe6751😂😂😂 they let criminals out of jail everyday ! And still continue to do so! He’s flying a drone not shooting someone

[@dronedude9523]

@@MsMakeupJunkie he doesn't make much money at all from his channel. That's his motivation to push the boundaries to get more views and thereby earn more money. Mikey chose this as his profession but won't get licensed. He wants to get the views that Kyle, Heron, Dono and others get but cannot because his style doesn't appeal to a broader base. EG cursing, shouting, angry rants, silliness. All the aforementioned hosts have things that may turn off viewers, Mikey just has more which limits him. Mikey is envious of all those who have made money off KZbin with drones but doesn't have a good blueprint for his own success, Mikey thinking the FAA thing was going to just go away and he was free to return to flying the way he got in trouble doing was naive at best.

[@OIPRGOV]

Me being a judge in the department of justice, I don’t see any legal obligation to sue this man everything that I’ve seen has not broken any laws he has not flown high enough to restrict air traffic

[@J0hnnyrenegxde]

I hate being in Philly.

[@davidshowers7508]

Don't we all.

[@BerzerkaDurk]

I'm currently a recreational drone pilot, but I'm taking my Part 107 sUAS license test next week. It is very clear that the FAA requires anyone using their drone to make money to get trained and certified. We have to learn about airspaces, weather, effects of loading on performance, etc, etc. There's no way the FAA slapped this dude with $180K in fines without going through several layers of warnings. All of Philadelphia is in Class B airspace, and he would have to get LAANC approval from air traffic control to fly there. He's flying DJI drones. DJI drones warn you of this when you fly them, so he ignored multiple layers of warnings from several sources. The people in these comments would be singing a very different tune if this dude had crashed his 5lb drone into a windshield and caused a fatal accident, or lacerated the shit out of a little girl's face, or a hundred other things. Even commercial drone pilots aren't allowed to fly over groups of people.

[@OIPRGOV]

I cannot come to terms with what’s going on in that state and I’m sorry to him. For legal advice, I can give him I would sue the government at this point.

[@SDCdroneflyer]

Theeeeere it is on the map….

[@LWJCarroll]

It is a new Artform of course. Visuals and photos that used to be impossible to do. Laurie. NZ.

[@hfrog713]

For those that don't know the number one rule he is breaking is it is FAA law that you keep your drone within Visual Line of Site (VLOS) at all times. Although the videos are beautiful, he is clearly not within VLOS in these videos. Now do the rules make sense, that's a whole other subject.

[@ForgottenHistory-mn6mz]

In case anyone hasn't noticed, nothing is allowed without 10 million licenses in the "land of the free".

[@Renee-kk1hf]

Maybe he might uncover some bs secretly going on.

[@xstorm_8_shadowx]

Bingo

[@Tommy.OrginalvideosPhilly]

yes that's what this is about!!! they don't want something being seen!

[@DigitalConfusion1]

​@Tommy.OrginalvideosPhilly Conspiracy theorist in the room I see.

[@Jackaldev]

The part where he flew into commercial air traffic ranges near the airport was conveniently left out.

[@drink15]

Follow the rules. It’s so easy.

[@quantumphaser]

Next, they'll go after his welfare. Let Freedom ring! 🇺🇸

[@43dukedog]

And Russia wants nukes in space , door plugs and other parts falling of from planes , pilots landing on highways and they are worried about this guy ? WTF

[@caliman777]

That one movie predicted the nukes in space I forgot what that movie is called but it was on point

[@Tomcoker1952]

Ignorance of the LAW is no excuse. You break the law, pay the fine or do the time

[@Deploracle]

We're talking about rules, Tom .. not laws.

[@Tomcoker1952]

Technically yes -FAA rules that are enforceable with penalties of high fines and federal prison time. Not a rule you can choose to ignore

[@carramrod4924]

Steal a car: slap on the wrist. Fly a drone questionably: 200k fine

[@jburddrone7202]

Claims to live on welfare but buys new DJI drones that cost thousands, I know because I own some myself plus he has a new Cadillac so the whole “welfare “ act is total BS

[@codyrice768]

Surprised how many folks are coming down on the side of this guy. The FAA has a policy of education first, and he was directed to educational resources where he could get licensed, get his flights approved, and be taught how to fly more safely like 7 times. He also outright ignored a cease and desist order. People *really* bent over backwards to help him continue to do his schtick, and he just ignored them at every turn. Flying unidentified craft in controlled airspace absolutely endangers people, and he just didn't care until he saw the fine.

[@RARenfield]

Where is the harm?!? Imagine a $200,000 speeding ticket for 5 over the limit. This is the equivalent.

[@KarlBerlin]

His videos are awesome ❤👍👍

[@los6584]

He did no harm and got his warning. Leave him alone at this point.

[@PWingert1966]

Give him a day in jail and call it quits

[@auston911]

they want his channel. did he take it down yet?

[@IMADALBASRII]

It’s make risk if was flying in path of aircraft’s plane but in center city if something happens just like some have a car

[@L2theWcarscoffeelife]

Please show me this "special license" you have!! Dang news cant even get it right there is NO drone license a certificate yes license NO!! Get your facts straight

[@helenawarsinnak]

Well being sued for almost $200,000...and if he is actually living in his mother's home/ is on welfare and doesn't own anything of great value.....**As the old saying goes: "YOU CAN'T GET BLOOD OUT OF A STONE!!"😉

[@jburddrone7202]

He owns drones that are worth thousands along with a new Cadillac so he isn’t broke he’s just using the system to get free stuff!

[@Quentyn73]

Leave the man alone!

[@Noneofyourbiz123]

Until he peeps in your daughters window?

[@Quentyn73]

@@Noneofyourbiz123 Yeah, let's poke out all male eyes because your daughter didn't buy curtains!

[@Noneofyourbiz123]

@@Quentyn73 moron

[@Noneofyourbiz123]

@@Quentyn73 I dont have a daughter. So your ok with peeping in windows? How about in the backyard around the pool is that ok? You must be a tRUMPer.

[@SuperReasonabledoubt]

Stop aiding foreign countries & let this man be...

[@northprime_unlimited]

How the hell did that little ass DJI mini get that high⁉️🤔

[@loadedfun4764]

I support you because your a brethren philly cuzin however the F.A.A. put all the rules & reg’s in place because of hazards and safety precautions that are inherent with drone flight. (SAFETY MOST NOTABLY) Civilian drone use had gone on for 2-3 years before the FAA HAD to put these guidelines into law. I had to sign off that I knew all the the rules on flying a drone before they would give me a registration number. I filed my registration 6 months prior to registration even being available under a FAA pilot program they ran just to see how the program would actually grow and attract pilots. Not sure how much the registration is now however it was $5 when I first filed .

[@udornyc]

You are correct, and it's still $5. As a recreational pilot, one registration is good for every drone you own, for commercial, you have to register each drone individually, for $5 each.

[@fearlessleader1436]

If he was near an airport he couldn’t even take off with his DJI drone. Never heard of flying too close to a building either. You can fly over people as far as I know, as the law has been changed. I feel sorry for city dwellers as there doesn’t seem to be many places to fly. I wonder who is behind this lawsuit. If he doesn’t have his pilots license, he can’t put his videos on sponsored KZbin videos. Good luck to this gentleman.

[@RMX7777]

You cannot fly over pedestrians unless there is a structure covering them or they are affiliated with you. As the regulations currently stand you cannot fly over unprotected strangers under any circumstance.

[@fearlessleader1436]

@@RMX7777 Category 1 small unmanned aircraft are permitted to operate over people, provided the small unmanned aircraft: Weigh 0.55 pounds or less, including everything that is on board or otherwise attached to the aircraft at the time of takeoff and throughout the duration of each operation. Contain no exposed rotating parts that would cause lacerations. In addition, for Category 1 operations, no remote pilot in command may operate a small unmanned aircraft in sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation is compliant with Remote ID.

[@RMX7777]

​​​@@fearlessleader1436I'll admit I wasn't thinking of category 1 drones when I wrote that response, however the guy has tons of videos flying category 2 drones over public spaces.

[@fearlessleader1436]

@@RMX7777 I never saw any of his stuff until the FAA fine video. He comes across as a bit naive about flying. I think if you get warnings from the agency you’d better heed them. If you read the rules they are a bit ambiguous. I have my FAA license and fly heavier drones than the small mavics, and I guess I can fly over people, but not hover. I still try to avoid it. Try to understand this. Incredibly huge aircraft fly over millions of populated areas every day. The only reason recreational drones are regulated is because they are low hanging fruit. No lightweight drone ever killed or seriously injured anyone on the ground. You can’t say the same about other aircraft.

[@RMX7777]

@@fearlessleader1436 Can't argue with that, I was just stating the regulations. All that being said, I realize a majority of people do not follow them. The difference is that those people don't post the evidence online.

[@DatDude923]

Gotta love this “free” country. Doesn’t matter your political beliefs, this is just wrong. We have no freedom.

[@DigitalConfusion1]

Obviously you have never flown a real drone. When people violate FAA rules as did this guy and ignore all warnings, it just involves more guidelines and restrictions being made for the flyer who does obey the rules. His abuse is what ruins it for the rest of us.

[@DatDude923]

@@DigitalConfusion1 doesn’t change my point. I agree that violating rules are wrong. My issue is the rule. I live in Florida, and for the longest it was illegal to capture rainwater. It was illegal to have solar panels. So while I understand what you’re saying about rules, the rule is the issue. I understand not flying a drone around airports. That makes sense but why can’t I fly 5 miles away from an airport? It’s actually legal in this country to blow cigarette smoke someone’s face… But I can’t fly a drone that I purchased? I can operate a remote control car. No one regulate that. My issue is we are so regulated in this country and people are just OK with it while chanting, USA, and freedom. You’re free to do whatever you want to as long as it doesn’t make someone else feel uncomfortable then there’s a law against it.

[@larrybenedict4984]

@@DatDude923I understand your point that we all are over regulated. The rainwater and solar panel issue is such an example. However, if you don’t understand why you can fly a drone 5 miles away from and airport, but not inside of that range, you don’t understand why that rule is in place. And it’s not about feelings, I sure as hell don’t want the airplane I am coming in on a landing on being struck by someone’s drone just so they can have some fun. Fun which they could also have 5 miles away and not put me or my loved ones in danger. Sorry, that’s where your freedom ends in my opinion.

[@DatDude923]

Read my response again, I said, why can I not fly it 5 miles away. Inside of 5 miles it makes sense. @@larrybenedict4984

[@vicweast]

Drones are a menace, this guy was warned and choose his KZbin channel instead. ...There is no crying in baseball.

[@SchubertTech]

Wow, amazing. Totally leaves out the fact the FAA asked him 4 years ago to stop. He initially appeared to comply, and the FAA went away. However he kept flying those flights in Class B airspace, above allowed 400' limits applied to drones, and farther than visual line of sight allows, years later... and THAT is why he has the $200k fine. People shouldn't HAVE to die for you to comply with air safety rules. It's sad that's what it takes for this to register. So fine, your drone doesn't kill anyone. How about the airliner with 300 passengers who suddenly sees your drone about to be injected into its engine and decides to maneuver but something ELSE goes wrong? Your drone didn't cause the final disaster, but it started the cause-effect chain. Just stop flying above 400'. Just stop flying beyond line of YOUR sight (not the drone camera sight). You can't see a Mini 2 at 1/2 mile. You just can't. No "editing" changes that.

[@ih8paper]

I wonder, did this man get any notices to quit prior to this?

[@qtonyq66]

Leave this guy alone he’s not bothering nobody really anything for money leave this guy alone

[@ksmith1298]

Slow crime day apparently.

[@felixruiz2838]

The Feds need to leave him alone

[@Deploracle]

They need to leave EVERYONE alone instead of trying their level best to start a nuclear war.

[@joethompson2910]

Mainstream media... 🙄🙄🙄 Smoke & mirrors..

[@LunaticMenace]

Guy is just trying to enjoy life. That's how your government treats you.

[@raymondturpin3265]

There is no need for them to sue the guy if he has never been warned before. If he had been warned and fined repeatedly in the past, then it would be understandable.

[@alanadams4025]

"Romero maintains that the FAA repeatedly warned DiCiurcio and that the agency “counseled and educated” him, but to no avail. She’s seeking an injunction to put a stop to DiCiurcio’s illegal drone maneuvers. And she’s also asking the judge to enforce a $1,501-per-violation fine which, as she tallies it, comes to $182,004." "nearly six years of FAA warnings to DiCiurcio to limit his aerial videos to the realm of regulatory compliance. Those having allegedly gone unheeded, prosecutors say they’re going to take more convincing dissuasive action."

[@warningsigns4526]

why - he was part of the act

[@arthursexton3942]

That's why I threw my drone away

[@scottw595]

He will get jail time I bet.

[@StreakyP]

He states his drone can do no harm... That doesn't quite tie up with the $60k damage a drone did to the helicopter in Long Beach just recently. He regularly flies over the freeway too & if his drone came down there & went through someone's windshield at 70mph that could have serious consequences. There are things you can safely do in open space but over a congested city, close to airport operation areas & in the dark you are asking for trouble.

[@Whydidyouusemyname]

The helo pilot was in the wrong there.

[@Whydidyouusemyname]

Show me a case of where the drone is at fault. You won’t find one.

[@StreakyP]

For Long Beach the FAA report seems to say drone pilot NOT the helo pilot at fault ERA24LA079 & I won't find one more case of a drone pilots at fault... true not one... hows about trying Buttonville or Laguna Beach or El Segundo or the LA news helicopter for starters.

[@Whydidyouusemyname]

@@StreakyP ehh. Fake news. The one I was referring to was the helicopter being below 400’ agl where they shouldn’t have been.

[@StreakyP]

@@Whydidyouusemyname helo was on "approach to land at an off-airport landing zone" so WAS where it should be. Drone WAS operating in a controlled zone where it was meant to be clearing its operations with ATC but hadn't.

[@RailBuffRob]

3 day old video about something that happened 3 years ago and they already reported back then.

[@jamesdrone69]

He still thinks it's a joke. He thinks because he's on welfare. He can't get no fines or tickets. If you commit a crime it doesn't matter whether you're on welfare or not , you still go to prison and face fines! Rules don't apply to Mikey. He thinks the FAA is a freaking joke. I have no sympathy for idiots. He was warned three times fine the crap out of him.. He's runeing the hobby for responsible flyers.... You can't pay the fine I guess you have to do the time😮

[@Indecisionn]

The FAA is a joke and so are you. They don't understand UAV's at all as evidence by their utterly ridiculous rules surrounding them. Just look at the horeshit rules they put in place around the Superbowl. They fine this dude enough to crush him when he's endangered absolutely no one yet levy laughably pathetic fines against unsafe aircraft manufacturers who endanger thousands. The FAA has no idea what they are doing and you have no idea what you're talking about bootlicker.

[@leelasmoochie]

Ridiculous...let him do this Jesus

[@Quickcat21MK]

Theres no legal precedent for this DOJ referral. While people are unaliving themselves a bunch of idiots in the drone community complained about him. To the point it got somewhere. Well now some airhead prosecutor thinks they can tell him he cant fly the drones or face jailtime. Thats hilarious.

[@eNeVeFamily]

Leave the guy alone.

[@knotgiven2u84]

This is the kind of drone operator that makes us all look bad... Follow the rules !! I'm not allowed to fly there? why are you? And the excuse.. I'm too poor to be a criminal? doesn't work.

[@yourhappyuncle6055]

I've seen many videos of this guys and honestly he breaks a lot of rules lol. but 200k? that's insane

[@wtb567]

I enjoy his videos a lot. And he is always just praising how beautifull Philli looks. With all the other negative videos about the place, the city council should pay this guy to make more such videos. Not try to persecute him!

[@snapperurban]

This guy is amazing and what a foolish government for doing this

[@cakeman58]

I have a DJI drone. The only way this guy came across in this interview is ignorant, blameless and pathetic. And if that drone, without propeller guards flew into the neck of a person, especially a child, it certainly could kill. At a minimum, he should be banned from every operating a drone again.

[@BoltRM]

I'm gonna check out his channel to help pay his unreasonable fines. Sure fine him, but $182,000?! 😮

[@MorganWJackson]

I think $200,000 is a bit much. Too much for his penalty. The penalty for sound torturing is way worse.

[@NobodyRides]

He will get famous from this report and KZbin will earn the revenue to pay whatever bill he will have at the end. I think that the judges should just give him a warning and make him get the part 107. That should be enough.

[@mikediggsv2]

He is not an fav pilot he flys Dji gps drones not an real fpv quad

[@kjkareemslim]

IF ITS 125-250 GRAMS ITS CONSIDER A TOY

[@RobertKotlarek]

If it is under 250 grams it just means it doesn't have to be registered with the FAA. Even a sub 250 gram drone is subject to Part 107, even if flying under the Section 44807 exemption for recreational drone flights.

[@airadaimagery692]

@@RobertKotlareknope, sub 249g drones are now permitted to fly over people.

[@RobertKotlarek]

@@airadaimagery692 The point of my post was that a sub 250 gram drone is not classified as a "toy" by the FAA (or any other authority). "Flying over people" was not even any part of my argument, but your comment is wrong nonetheless. Under the Section 44807 exemption, you MUST follow the guidelines of an FAA recognized CBO. All four of the FAA recognized CBO's EXPLICITLY PROHIBIT flying over people. So if you fly over people with a sub 250g drone, you are flying under Part 107, and you must be compliant with Category I operations under Part 107. Thanks!

[@vihtoripuurola3775]

Love this guy. Can't squeeze blood from a turnip and the FAA should know that.

[@nwmi493]

That sucks. Meanwhile in Washington ...

[@ElectroBlep]

I assume since he doesn't have the money, that he will be put in jail. This is how it works. Fine based punishment is how things are only really a crime for those that aren't wealthy. If some multi-millionaire got in the same trouble, it wouldn't effect their life like it will destroy this guy's life. That said, I understand how he feels, but appealing to they system's "sense of compassion" isn't going to work. The system and most Americans have hatred for the poor, not compassion.