No more tickets for remote-controlled aircrafts in Austin

Youens uses a drone to take photos of popular Austin locations and scenery for his business. Acevedo's announcement and the APD enforcement that followed impacted businesses that use remote-operated airplanes as well as recreational users, he said.

Austin city law does not consider it unlawful to fly drones within city limits; however, there is a stipulation that states operators of such aircraft cannot "operate an aircraft in a careless or reckless manner that creates a danger to another person's health or property." Airport officials and police officers can also ask anyone to stop his or her activity if there is any threat or danger to nearby airspace, according to the law.

APD's change of heart as to how it will enforce the use of drone aircrafts came as a pleasant surprise to Youens, who spoke April 16 to Austin City Council during the public comment period. There are two remote control flying clubs in Austin that have a combined 360 members, Youens said, and thousands more in the city that fly such aircraft without belonging to a club.

Owners of Austin-area HobbyTown USA stores told Youens they sold more than 3,000 remote-controlled aircrafts in 2014, and Fry's Electronics sold several thousand, Youens said.

People who are safely flying remote control aircrafts may no longer be cited under city law, but federal regulations are still being considered for monitoring such activities in the future.