Do I need to register my drone?

14 that recreational users of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, must register their systems with the federal government via a new website. According to industry estimates, as many as 400,000 small UAS could be sold during the holidays.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) drone registry went online on Monday.

Operators who complete the registration process will receive a printable certificate with a registration number.

In fact, federal law requires it and there are harsh penalties if you don’t: civil penalties up to $27,500 and criminal penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and /or imprisonment for up to three years. The FAA said that would let authorities track down owners if they violate the rules.

For drones above 55 pounds and those used for commercial purposes, registration must be done via paper. Drones have also been banned from flying in Maricopa County Parks.

“There are small ones that are still outdoor with camera capabilities and video capability that are not going to be a registered item”, said Hunt. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after December 21, 2015 must register before the first flight outdoors. Well, for starters, you should register your new drone with the FAA. If you have multiple drones under your possession, you won’t have to be paying the USD$5 (RM21) registration fee for each drone that you have, as they can all be tied to the same initial registration number. If a person owns more than one small aircraft, each must be marked with that number.

Most people who fly drones and model aircraft have little aviation experience, but they become pilots as soon as they start to fly, said Deputy FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker. You’ll have until February 19, 2016 to get your drone registered.