Register your Drone!

Debi

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You Must Register Your Drone in the US by Feb. 2016, and There's a $5 Fee

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The FAA announced its drone registration process today, a couple of months afterannouncing the registry: if you operate a drone that weighs over 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, you’ll need to register it by February 19, 2016. There’s also going to be a $5 fee.

The online registration process will be opened up on December 21st, 2015. If you purchased your drone before that date, you’ll have until the February 19th deadline to register. If you purchase one after December 21st, you’ll need to register immediatelybefore you can legally fly.

A coalition of media organizations petitioned the government to not impose any registration fees last month, but it seems that the FAA decided that a $5 fee is necessary for the 3-year registration.

To encourage people to register as quickly as possible, however, the FAA is waiving the $5 fee for the first 30 days, from December 21st, 2015 to January 20th, 2016.

Drone owners will need to provide their name, home address, and email address. In return, the FAA will issue a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership, which provides the operator with a unique ID number that must be displayed on the drone.

“We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season,” says FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly.”

The new registration system will only apply to hobbyist and recreational flyers. If you’re a professional drone operator, your online registration won’t be available until spring of 2016. You can find the full FAA rules here and keep your eye on the registration pagehere.
 
Not sure how I feel about this. More government, but an opportunity to educate new recreational flyers.
 
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Well, I guess if someone hits you with one, at least they can track who it belongs to.