Drone Owner? Register Soon or Face a Fine (or Worse)
Almost 300,000 owners have registered their drones in the first 30 days since the Federal Aviation Administration’s online registration system went live.
“The registration numbers we’re seeing so far are very encouraging”, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said in a statement. “We’re working hard to build on this early momentum and ensure everyone understands the registration requirement”.
The rule applies to owners who are at least 13 years old and have aircraft that weigh at least 9 ounces. In the last update the agency provided on January 6, 181,000 drones had been registered. New purchases are supposed to be registered before the first flight and previous owners until February 19. The registration database launched on December 21, ahead of the holiday season when drones were expected to be a popular gift. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
The FAA says the registration is needed to protect people and commercial manned aircraft from collisions but some critics argue it’s government overreach gone amock.
The registration number on the certificate is required to be marked on the aircraft.
All operators must register their drones before they can fly them outdoors. It can either be written on the drone or placed in its battery compartment. The FAA is working to make the online registration system available for non-model aircraft users such as commercial operators by March 21. If people don’t register by then, however, the FAA may start handing out penalties.
And the rules are fairly simple: don’t fly within five miles of an airport without permission from the tower; don’t fly above 400 feet; don’t fly at night; keep your drone within sight; and keep out of no-fly zones like national parks. The FAA did not provide information on how many drones have been recovered from other crashes.