NYC proposes new (slow, pricey, heavy) drone authorization rules

Officials in New York are proposing changes to rules that strictly regulate drone activity within NYC, but UAV businesses and other operators hoping to see the end of the city’s quasi-blanket ban on flights aren’t likely to be singing the praises of liberalization just yet.

The modifications to the city’s draconian drone regulations are being advanced by the NYC Police Department, which will hold a public hearing on July 7 to discuss the – very relative – easing of current restrictions. 

Key to those is a revised permit system that will presumably enlarge and ease authorization of utilitarian missions by companies and public administrations (don’t de-mothball those quadcopters yet, private pilots) – though only after a minimum 30-day application wait, and a $150 fee per request.

The package also sets out fines of $250 to $1,000 for anyone conducting drone flights in NYC without permits from police, or breaking operating…