Drones will have to be registered with IAA

Most drones that can carry cameras and other attachments weigh more than the limit and include GPS systems that allow them to hover and fly greater distances.

“I was surprised last summer when I saw in Boise, Idaho a kiosk selling multi-rotors, that was kind of an eye-opener of how popular these have become”, Most said. The agency will charge $5 for those registering after the end of the 30-day period, with the cost covering the expenses of the program.

The Federal Aviation Administration announced its long-awaited regulations for unmanned recreational aerial drones and model airplanes this week.

Under this rule, owners who previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to December 21, 2015, must register no later than February 19, 2016. Owners will have to provide their name, home address and email, and their identity will be verified and payments made by credit card, the agency said.

Nationally, more than one-third of 1,007 Americans surveyed by the St. Leo University Polling Institute in Florida said they would like to have a drone.

If you have a new drone that’s never been flown, you are required to register right away. “You got four of them it goes on four of them”, Eastman said. There is a $5 registration fee that will be waived the first thirty days.

Small drone owners now have to register online for drones weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds.

Most said Kansas State is offering brief, beginner-level courses to people who are looking how to learn a drone.

The objective of the registration system is to educate new users about safe drone operation and to help police track down the owner of a drone that causes damage, injuries or even death. Barkowski said a professional drone operator she knows calls the Chico Municipal Airport’s flight control tower before flying in the city and hasn’t had problems flying. It’s only a matter of time before terrorists and criminals discover ways to use personal drones for nefarious purposes.

Matsunaga said they used their drone on just two projects since acquiring the aircraft.