Government to force all drone owners to register, details expected Monday

USA regulators have scrambled to regulate drones as they have proliferated in US skies in recent years, sparking concerns from lawmakers, pilots and the general public that the devices pose a threat to manned aircraft. Two sources who were informed of the plan said the administration will announce the formation of an independent advisory committee with the goal of creating the structure of a federal drone registry by December.

The Transportation Department said it plans to make a drone-related announcement on Monday but declined further comment.

It’s not known how much information hobbyist drone pilots will have to submit, or whether those who already have drones will be required to register details, too.

Drone owners in California have also caused problems for the authorities recently, with a few operators accused of occupying airspace and disrupting first responders as they tackled devastating wildfires in the state.

If sightings continue at that rate, the number would near 1,100 by the year end.

Sales of drones increase during the holiday season and the new regulations on UAV are expected to be enforced before the holiday season, which means that all drones purchased before Christmas will have to be registered with the Department of Transportation. Officials say efforts to track down the owners of rogue drones have been frustrated in part by a 2012 congressional decision to bar the FAA from regulating recreational drones. More than double from previous year.

To counter drones flying uncomfortably close to airplanes, the FAA announced last week that it is testing anti-drone technology that would detect the ones flying within five miles of select airports.

Governments all around the world are growing more concerned about drones, which have recently disrupted air traffic or flown into sensitive areas.

This weekend Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced his own plan for drone use.

Currently, drones are considered hobby aircraft and are exempt from registration because they are supposed to be operated below 400 feet.