You take your drone out for a casual flight and end up facing federal charges. That’s the reality for Xiao Guang Pan, 71, a citizen from Canada who now finds himself in the law’s crosswires.

Pan, a resident of Brampton, Ontario, has been charged with three counts of using an unmanned aircraft to snap photos of restricted military sites at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. Federal prosecutors allege that, on three separate occasions in earlier this year in January, Pan’s drone captured aerial images of sensitive locations, including:

    • Space launch complexes
  • A submarine wharf
  • Payload processing facility
  • Munitions bunkers

A Costly Flight: What’s at Stake?

Pan is now facing three counts of violating federal airspace security laws. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of one year right in federal prison, meaning that if convicted on all counts, he could be looking at a three-year stint behind bars.

For a 71-year-old drone enthusiast, that’s a pretty steep price to pay for what he might have thought was an innocent hobby. But in today’s world, especially with increased concerns over national security, flying a drone over military infrastructure is no small offense.

Authorities are treating Pan’s case with high priority. Multiple agencies are involved, including the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Space Coast, the FBI, the FAA, and NASA’s Office of Inspector General. 

Hobby or National Security Threat?

Pan isn’t just some random person with a drone. According to his bio on the Brampton Arts Organization’s website, he’s an experienced drone photographer and videographer, having taken up the hobby in 2019. Heading over to his Instagram there are multiple breathtaking aerial shots of Canadian landscapes, city skylines, and travel destinations.

But it’s his latest trip to Orlando, Florida, in December 2024 that might be his most infamous yet. His drone flights over Cape Canaveral have raised alarms across U.S. intelligence agencies, fueling concerns over potential espionage or unintentional security breaches.

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Drones and National Security

A few weeks before Pan’s arrest, another case grabbed headlines—a Chinese national flew a drone over California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.

These incidents raise serious concerns about drones near sensitive installations. Some hobbyists just want cool footage, but who else might be watching? And for what purpose? After all, drones can be tools for spying, surveillance, or even cyber threats.

✅ Always check local regulations before flying—The FAA has clear rules , and ignorance is not a legal defense.

✅ No-fly zones exist for a reason—stay clear of military bases, airports and critical infratructure.

✅ Unauthorized aerial photography of sensitive sites is a crime—and can come with serious penalties.

✅ If in doubt, don’t launch—losing your drone to authorities is bad, but facing federal charges is worse.

What’s Next for Pan?

Pan’s legal battle is just beginning. His case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Varadan, and the investigation is ongoing. Whether Pan’s actions were intentional or a simple misunderstanding, the law doesn’t leave much room for error.

With the rise in unauthorized drone flights, don’t be surprised if laws get even stricter. Governments worldwide are taking drone security seriously, and more restrictions could be coming.

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