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FAA: Small Drones Must Be Registered By February (bloomberg.com)
An anonymous reader writes: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has finally unveiled its new drone registration rules. Starting on 21 December, all newly-purchased drones between 250 grams (.55 lbs) and 25 kg (~55 lbs) must be registered before their first flight. Owners of drones purchased before that time must register by 19 February 2016. The FAA will charge $5 to register the drones, though the first month of registrations will be free. "Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiast are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. "Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their unmanned aircraft safely. I'm excited to welcome these new aviators into the culture of safety and responsibility that defines American innovation." There is also an age requirement: kids under the age of 13 will not be allowed to register a drone by themselves.
In related news, Bard college has compiled a report on drone safety with respect to encounters with manned aircraft.
It's hardly freaking ruined. Spend $5, get registered, nothing else changes. Except they know who you are if you fly like a retard.
And if you aren't registered and fly like a retard, they now have legal recourse.
I'm all for the government minding their own business... But RC Helicopters are hardly ruined by a $5 tax.
It allows an investigation to find the person responsible.
Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
No, the model rocket and traditional radio controlled aircraft activities were largely self regulating. With the understanding that if they didn't do it themselves, the FAA would be happy to ban them. And, prior to this, it worked. Now, no so much.
BTW, you DO have to register certain model rockets with the FAA as well as getting specific clearance for flights for the larger rockets. The ones that go thousands of feet in the air. The little ones only go several hundreds of feet.
So there.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
$5/drone is not a moneygrab. I fully expect that the system will operate at a loss.
Do not look into laser with remaining eye.
You don't require a driver's license to drive on your own property, or private property with permission of the owner. This FAA license is required for absolutely all drones that are flown outdoors, whether they are only ever used on private property or not.
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'