UPDATE: New York City’s “Fan Man,” Johnathan Warren, has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from his illegal flights over the city, but he’s not backing down. Instead, Warren is launching an advocacy group to champion the rights of ultralight aircraft enthusiasts across the nation.
Warren, who was arrested on October 14, 2023, for flying his lightweight fan-powered paraglider, appeared in BROOKLYN CRIMINAL COURT on October 28. Following his arrest for landing at Calvert Vaux Park after allegedly parachuting off the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, he faced serious charges, including felony reckless endangerment, which have since been dropped. Instead, he accepted a lesser violation of disorderly conduct, receiving a sentence of just four days of community service.
The case has drawn attention to the regulations surrounding ultralight flying. Warren insists his flights comply with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines, which allow ultralight aircraft to operate over “uncongested” areas. However, the NYPD contended that he violated city laws by flying in a park.
As he moves forward, Warren is establishing the Paramotor Flight Standards Association, aiming to advocate for designated areas where ultralight enthusiasts can legally take off and land. He expressed his vision in an email: “Rather than have a big fight… I’m looking forward to setting up meetings over the winter and spring with various city entities to hopefully get explicit landing sites set up next year.”
Warren’s commitment to his cause is evident. He plans to expand the advocacy group nationally, with hopes that local chapters will emerge in cities across the United States. He is also awaiting communication from the FAA regarding the similarity of his organization’s name to its “Flight Standards District Offices.”
Although his case has concluded, Warren remains grounded until local officials grant him clearance to fly again. He believes he will soon be able to retrieve his $12,000 paraglider from the police. Reflecting on his experiences, he shared that he has flown over 30 times between New York and New Jersey, often enjoying views along the water by Coney Island and across Gravesend Bay to Staten Island.
What’s next? Warren’s immediate future involves community service, but his advocacy efforts could reshape the landscape for ultralight flying in urban settings. As he rallies support for his initiative, the conversations he sparks could influence local regulations and airspace safety measures.
Stay tuned for more updates as Warren pushes for change in the skies above New York City and beyond. His journey highlights the intersection of passion, legality, and the fight for personal freedoms in the air.
