It’s Time to Register Your Drone

Beginning Monday, all drones and unmanned aircraft will have to be registered through the Federal Aviation Administration.

As announced last week, United States drone pilots must register their drones – anything from 0.55 to 55 lb, including cameras and cargo – by Feburary 19 or risk fines of up to $250,000.

You must be at least 13-years-old to register on the website.

Registration is free until January 21, but after that it will cost $5.

Some advocates for drone enthusiasts have argued that the registration requirements place an unfair burden on users and that the fee to register could make it harder for people to register.

The register of owners has been set up following several high-profile cases which saw drones flown in restricted airspace near airports and crowds, or that interfered with the work of emergency services. Please remember the rules before you fly a drone or UAS in the City of Manassas. There is a registration fee that runs five dollars. Registrations are valid for three years.

Working together, we can keep the skies safe for everyone.

That sentence is at odds with the privacy information provided in the FAA’s FAQ, which reads that only the FAA, its contractor, and in some cases law enforcement will be able to access the registration data.

If the gift-giver didn’t register it already, then yes.

After completing the process, you’ll receive a Certificate of Aircraft Registration along with an ID number that must be displayed on the drone.