FAA will require recreational UAV registration

Credit: Michael Khor / photo on flickrAs teased on Friday, the Department of Transportation DOT today announced plans to require citizens to register their drones or unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the federal government.

The task force itself will be made up of 30 people from the government, and the drone industry, amongst others.

Foxx said registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and responsibility, especially among newcomers that have zero experience operating in the United States aviation system.

“Registration will now allow us to identify them”, Foxx told a press conference in Washington, D.C.

The growth of drone use by the general public has grown so quickly that it has remained one of the least regulated parts of flight by the Federal Aviation Administration.

The announcement comes amid growing reports of encounters between drones and other aircraft, with the Federal Aviation Administration reporting 764 such incidents – 23 of them in Arizona – from November to August.

Tracking drones is more hard still, since most commercially available models are so small they don’t show up on radar. According to FAA guidelines drones are supposed to be spotted flying above 400 feet or within five miles of an airport.

The FAA has reported more than 650 unauthorized drone sightings so far this year, as of August 9, compared with 238 for all of 2014.

“Over 1 million drones will be sold over the holiday season and we need to ensure that everyone learns how to operate safely”, said Declet.

Yet to be seen is how operators – including those who already own drones – will be required to register, and how the FAA could prevent “bad actors” from simply choosing not to register their drones.

In the meantime, the FAA will continue its education and outreach efforts, including the “Know Before You Fly” campaign and “No Drone Zone” initiatives with the nation’s busiest airports.

Wynne said it is important for the FAA to finish crafting its rules for increased drone use while it is working on the new registration system, however.

A drone also crashed into empty seats in a stadium at the US Open tennis tournament in New York in September.