Drone pilot successfully prosecuted over unauthorised flights

The Irish Aviation Authority has secured a successful prosecution against drone operator and photographer Helton Assunção for multiple breaches of regulations across three locations in Ireland.

The defendant pleaded guilty to offences that included operating within prohibited airspace without authorisation, flying at heights that risked manned aircraft, and exceeding visual line-of-sight limits.

Judge Michael Ramsey acknowledged the defendant’s efforts to learn from the incidents and directed him to pay €250 to a nominated charity within three months, after which the charges would be struck out.

Mr Assunção, known to the authority for his social media presence, agreed to share details of his mistakes publicly on platforms including Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. The authority pursued a balanced approach focused on education, accountability, and prevention under its Just Culture ethos.

David Hansell shared “As Ireland’s civil aviation regulator, public safety is our highest priority. Operating a drone in unauthorised airspace poses a public safety risk. Drone pilots must always ensure they are aware of airspace restrictions and comply with aviation safety regulations before flying. That said, rather than solely focusing on sanctions, the IAA applied a balanced approach to prioritise learning, accountability, and the prevention of future occurrences. This approach is part of the IAA’s “Just Culture” ethos, which ensures that organisations and individuals can engage proactively with the IAA to address safety issues, while maintaining trust and collaboration across the aviation community.”