AirMap suggests to tax drone flights and apply take-off and landing fees

AirMap found itself in hot water on Friday afternoon after the company suggested in a series of tweets that governments could create new revenue streams through taxation, take-off, and landing fees for drone flights to support UTM service, such as (!). As you can imagine, this idea was not well received among the drone enthusiasts and professionals on Twitter and other social media.

Update 1/24/2021: AirMap seems to be in damage control and delete the tweets. You can find a screenshot of them below.

AirMap suggests to tax drone flights and apply take-off and landing fees

On Friday afternoon, AirMap a drone services provider tweeted the following messages in which the company suggests that state, local, and tribal governments can generate new revenues by taxing drone operations and charging take-off and landing fees on drone flights.

Here are Airmap's tweets from Friday afternoon. As you can imagine these ideas were not well received within the drone community.

“State, local, and tribal governments have always had the authority to regulate #UAS take-off and landing via their zoning authority and powers. But they may want to do more to enable safe #drone use in their communities. (1/2)”

“With a #UTM system, state, local, and tribal authorities can gain visibility into nearby drone operations and publish airspace restrictions and notices to drone operators. These rules will be tiered according to levels of authority within the UTM system. (2/2)”

“# offers economic benefits. Governments can create new revenue streams that support #UTM services, like taxation and take-off and landing fees. They can also design incentive programs that encourage #UAS and #AAM businesses to locate in their communities.”

Additional taxes, and local take-off and landing fees and regulations would hurt the hobby and thus the commercial longer term, as the pointed out in an article earlier today. As the safest form of aviation, we must maintain the right to fly drones with a minimum of rules and taxes.

AirMap in hot water after suggesting to tax drone flights

The Drone Service Provider Alliance responded by saying that: “Don't see how taxation and take-off and landing fees encourage UAS businesses to operate in communities. It actually serves as a disincentive.”

In response to Airmap's tweets, many drone operators decided to delete the AirMap app from their smartphones. Here are a few reactions:

“The U.S. airspace belongs to the people if the . Nobody need more tax or fees. Deleting your app and only using now,” said Jeff Gritchen.

“Seriously? Take off and Landing fees? As a landscape photographer, technically commercial, but hardly a high revenue prospect, I can't imagine how this would make sense. Airmap app has been deleted from my devices as it's clear you don't support this business,” said Bill Heiser.

“The airspace must remain free and open to everyone. #nodronetax,” said the Pilot Institue

“Thank you @AirMapIO for helping the government hit hard on the drone operators. I just deleted the app from all my devices,” said ALF

“This is ridiculous! I'm deleting Airmap as well. Thanks for the knife in the back,” said Bob Burnett

If you agree with these folks and with us, be sure to leave your comment on AirMap's Twitter feed!

Airmap Suggests To Tax Drone Flights And Apply Take-Off And Landing Fees 1

https://twitter.com/AirMapIO/status/1352337788784488450?s=20

https://twitter.com/AirMapIO/status/1352338948316606468?s=20

https://twitter.com/AirMapIO/status/1352700179695198208?s=20

Airmap Suggests To Tax Drone Flights And Apply Take-Off And Landing Fees 2

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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Founder of DroneXL.co, where he covers all drone-related news, DJI rumors and writes drone reviews, and EVXL.co, for all news related to electric vehicles. He is also a co-host of the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and other podcast platforms. Haye can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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