If you fly a drone into transponder airspace without prior authorization, you may be fined up to $3,000 for a person.

If you fly a drone into transponder airspace without prior authorization, you may be fined up to $3,000 for a person.

• A. $3,000
• B. $5,000
• C. $1,000
• D. $2,000

Answer: (A)

Operating in controlled airspace that requires a transponder (transponder airspace) without prior authorization is a regulatory violation that can carry civil penalties. The FAA treats these areas as high risk because manned aircraft rely on transponder data for separation and safety, so flying a drone there without approval interrupts air traffic management and could create a hazard. To deter this, the per-person penalty for this specific offense is set at a maximum of $3,000. This amount is intended to reflect the seriousness of unauthorized operation in controlled airspace, even for a small unmanned aircraft. Authorization for these areas is typically obtained through LAANC or the FAA DroneZone before flight, which helps you stay compliant and avoid penalties. The other dollar figures do not represent the maximum penalty for this particular violation, though penalties can vary in other contexts or for repeat or willful violations.

Operating in controlled airspace that requires a transponder (transponder airspace) without prior authorization is a regulatory violation that can carry civil penalties. The FAA treats these areas as high risk because manned aircraft rely on transponder data for separation and safety, so flying a drone there without approval interrupts air traffic management and could create a hazard. To deter this, the per-person penalty for this specific offense is set at a maximum of $3,000. This amount is intended to reflect the seriousness of unauthorized operation in controlled airspace, even for a small unmanned aircraft.

Authorization for these areas is typically obtained through LAANC or the FAA DroneZone before flight, which helps you stay compliant and avoid penalties. The other dollar figures do not represent the maximum penalty for this particular violation, though penalties can vary in other contexts or for repeat or willful violations.