FAA To Require Drone Owners To Register

The US Federal Aviation Administration, responding to heightened concerns about rogue drone flights near airports, announced a rule requiring drone hobbyists to register their unmanned aircraft.

The new online registry will require current drone owners to register by February 19, while anyone who acquires aircraft after December 21 would need to register before their first outdoor flight.

After registering, drone owners will receive an FAA identification number that they must display on aircraft weighing between 250 grams (0.55 pounds) and 25 kg (55 pounds).

The FAA's online registration site, which will be launched next Monday, will charge drone owners a USD$5 fee, which officials said is the same charge required for manned aircraft, including Boeing 747s. To encourage participation, the FAA will waive the fee for the first 30 days that the registry is open.

Federal officials see online registration as one way to address a surge of rogue drone flights near airports and crowded public venues that has raised safety concerns among authorities across the United States.

Two months ago, US officials vowed to have a drone registry in place before Christmas, when unmanned aircraft are expected to be a popular gift, including for teenagers.

Under the new regulation, drone owners 13 years and older are required to register their craft, while the parents of younger children must register them.

"Unmanned aircraft operators are aviators and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility," US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told reporters.

Failure to register can result in a hefty penalty, including civil fines of up to USD$27,500 and criminal penalties of up to USD$250,000 and three years in prison.

But FAA officials said they intend to focus on encouraging compliance through a "Know Before You Fly" public education campaign backed by some manufacturers, retailers and local law enforcement.