SALT LAKE CITY — If you’ve been considering mounting a flamethrower onto your drone lately, the Federal Aviation Administration has a message for you: don’t.
Gizmodo reports the FAA has responded to a viral video from last month that showed a drone shooting a jet of fire. Throwflame (how subtle) notes the flamethrower attachment is a commercial product that is “federally legal,” can be operated without a license and isn’t considered to be a weapon.
Instead, Throwflame claims the flamethrower is great for agricultural burns, snow removal and incinerating insect hives — from 25 feet away.
It doesn’t seem like the FAA is on the same page, though. In a notice, the government agency reminds enthusiasts that it’s illegal to operate a drone wielding a dangerous weapon, and specifically calls out flamethrowers as, well, dangerous.
“Perhaps you’ve seen online photos and videos of drones with attached guns, bombs, fireworks, flamethrowers, and other dangerous items. Do not consider attaching any items such as these to a drone because operating a drone with such an item may result in significant harm to a person and to your bank account,” the notice reads.
Tech Radar also notes that drone limitations don’t stop there. The miniature aircraft need to be properly operated in the proper altitude (under 400 feet) and in the right places — flying over public areas and large groups of people is usually a no-go.
Business Insider notes the drone industry is growing rapidly in popularity and profit — sales are expected to top $12 billion in 2021 — so maybe it’s not surprising flamethrower drones have become a thing.
But instead of lighting things on fire, Engadget notes, drones are better used for commercial photography, inspections, investigation and even tasks like fishing and surfing.