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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.
they are taking more money from us, so we will be safer!
their solution to everything. disgusting.
and privacy
I predict huge numbers of unregistered drones
Hmm, my quadcopter is 0.41lbs so I guess I'm good. Although I occasionally attach my GoPro to it which puts it at 0.61lbs.
The good news is that now people who want to use RC machines to fly someplace they're not supposed to, or to carry some not-right payload (say, a small bomb, or ferrying contraband over a prison wall, etc) will now be stopped by this new paperwork.
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.
You forgot "from our cold dead hands."
I predict the rise of a huge market for 249g drones in the very near future.
That said, "Civilian drones weighing more than 250 grams (0.55 pounds) must be registered and identified with markings so that authorities have a better chance of finding the owner in the event of an illegal flight or crash"... Riiight, because someone planning to illegally use their drone will certainly make sure to properly register it first?
For Generations we had Remote Control Airplanes and Solid Propellant model Rockets.
Part of wholesome family fun. Just because there is a new toy that is out, that happens to have the name of a controversial military device it becomes a major threat.
If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
The Bloomberg article mentions that the $5 fee is actually a government mandate in the law that the FAA is using to claim authority over RC aircraft, but to anyone looking at it, it looks like the RC aircraft equivalent of red light cameras: a government cash-grab that does little to nothing to actually improve safety. I'm having trouble seeing how having tagged drones is going to do anything but allow the government to collect more money in fines, both for unauthorized drone use and for drone use without a license.
How the hell can it cost $5 to register a drone? I suspect the record will simply be stored in a database without even being looked at by a human. If every institution were as inefficient as the government, it would cost $5 to post a comment on Slashdot.
I despise monopolies and the government monopoly is the worst of them all. Governments abuse their monopoly position far more than any cable company or operating system developer. The government takes money from you at any every opportunity while giving you pretty much nothing back in return.
A bit nitpicky, but these are not drones. Drones are typically much larger than 25Kg, have weapons systems, and are operated by a military. As per the press release, these are small unmanned aircraft.
You troll, but I'm sure that's how many in government feel.
Wh47 d1d j00 541, 31337 15n't t3h r0xor5 ne m0r3???
Did I completely misread this or did we just spend $46 million on a website because of 238 "potentially unsafe" operations? Does the Federal Government even have the right to do this for "aviation" that never crosses state borders?
From the rules (http://www.faa.gov/news/press_releases/news_story.cfm?newsId=19856):
The FAA estimates that in calendar year 2014, 200,000 small unmanned aircraft were operated in the NAS in model aircraft operations. During this period, the FAA received 238 reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations.
In order to implement the new streamlined, web-based system described in this IFR, the FAA will incur costs to develop, implement, and maintain the system. Small UAS operators will require time to register and mark their aircraft, and that time has a cost. The total of government and registrant resource cost for small unmanned aircraft registration and marking under this new system is $56 million ($46 million present value at 7 percent) through 2020.
The amount of organization and discipline that has been exercised by RC aircraft enthusiasts is sorely lacking among the users of cheap drones. This is the simple result of Americans using the amount of consideration and common sense that they are known for.
A Pirate and a Puritan look the same on a balance sheet.
"What good are drones?"
"Senator, in five years you will be taxing them. Sorry, charging a fee to get out of the way."
(-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
You really think $5 per drone is going to be profitable for a federal government agency? I doubt it even covers their costs for employing people to do the paperwork.
Does my drone-mounted pistol need to be registered with the BATF too?
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
Let the US Feds try to take a 15 year old to court for flying a toy helicopter.
They won't. They will take the 15 year old's parents to court instead.
So many of you are complaining about your toys having to be registered with the FAA now. But I put these points to you:
1. Who is really to blame, here? The retards who were irresponsible with their toys, that's who, so go bang on them!
2. What the actual FUCK do you expect the FAA and the government to do? Nothing? Doing nothing means the problem continues. Or do you expect cops to waste their time trying to chase down little flying toys? That's like trying to herd ferrets.. who got into a case of Rockstar; it ain't happenin'. The only other viable alternative I can see, would be to ban non-government drones entirely from the U.S., which no doubt would make all of you froth at the mouth even worse. Therefore: GET OVER IT.
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
Some people seem to have trouble navigating a vehicle safely in two dimensions. Add a third and this is what happens. A steady string of events and incidents from people who just can't act with some responsibility (see earlier comments on why RC aircraft community typically doesn't have this problem)
It's why I never ask when my flying car will show up. As a population we suck enough at driving on the ground as it is.
If everyone that owns and flies model UAS were to issue a collective middle finger to these asshats, the whole thing would go away overnight.
So, those Estes model rockets that we used to send thousands of feet into the air in the 60s and 70s now need to be registered with the FAA? Seems to me they could do a lot more damage than a miniature quad rotor... I suspect their solid-fuel engines were filled with something that could be classified as an explosive, too. Seriously, we need a better definition of what actually needs to be registered.
I've abandoned my search for truth; now I'm just looking for some useful delusions.
Seeing the term "drone" used infuriates me to no end. Unfortunately the news media requires a catchy one or two syllable label they can use to oversimplify and improperly categorize the subject, because viewers don't have the attention span for "remote control multirotor helicopter" or the like.
I've been flying model aircraft since the 80's and you have always had to have an AMA license to fly in public or at flying fields. If I remember it was more than $5. It would also give you insurance in case you accidentally crashed into a car, building, person etc. To my knowledge, the main reason for the license was so the FCC knew what frequencies were being used and if used proper. There would always be someone with a modified Transmitter that would use a HAM radio band for better and further control ;)
Not so long ago, the news was full of fear-based "reporting" on all the evils of the internet.
Yeah that didn't go away.
Or you can create crazy by insinuating that said action is being taken by terrorists.
Hu-hum statement: "People are operating store-bought drones equipped with cameras."
HOLY COW BAN THEM NOW statement: "Terrorists are operating store-bought drones equipped with cameras."
It's like adding "in bed" to fortune cookie statements only with less laughs and more easily-scared people calling for government-restrictions to be put in place to guard against imagined threats.
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
Albany county in NY is trying to ban drone use by non-law enforcement
http://app.albanycounty.com/le...
I like my drones, and I don't want to take the chance of some overzealous cop "accidentally" mangling them in the process of illegally confiscating them.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
More seats to fill is more patronage to give out, more power to wield and more votes and money to collect.
John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
Just buy a drone, register it under your enemy's name...and then fly it into an airport.
They are screwed at that point.....
At that point, they appear on all sorts of governmental lists, no fly...no buy weapons...etc.
And those are virtually impossible to get yourself off of....
Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
I predict that the registration rate will be extremely low, especially for the smaller drones that kids typically get for Christmas.
It will be interesting to see how well they validate registrations.
Peter predicted that you would "deliberately forget" creation 2000 years ago...
Sounds like a good way to screw someone over...
Just buy a drone, register it under your enemy's name...and then fly it into an airport.
At that point, they appear on all sorts of governmental lists, no fly...no buy weapons...etc.
And those are virtually impossible to get yourself off of....
Hopefully someone will register one on behalf of U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx!
Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
Heck, they even give you your money back if you register in the first thirty days. Not going to chisel down the national debt that way.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Remember it? "I can fly where I want, there is no law that tells me I cannot fly above your ground. Or near an airport. IT IS MY RIGHT!"
Now we have a law. And registration. And more and more restrictions. Why? Because people can't use a tiny bit of common sense. Contrary to popular (right wing) belief, governments don't relish in getting into your way of "freedom". Governments are lazy, why the fuck should they be any different than the people voting them in? Politicians don't come from Mars, they come from our nice little planet and they are the same lazy bums that we are. They couldn't care less what you do.
As long as you are not a threat to anyone.
We could still fly our drones and planes pretty much where we want and how we want. If it wasn't for the "you can't tell me I can't fly here" idiots. "There is no law that says I cannot". No, there wasn't. But does it REALLY take more than 2 brain cells to know that there are some areas where you should MAYBE not fly your drone? Just because it's unsafe and because it pisses people off? But hey, why should I give a fuck about what people think! IT'S MY RIGHT! I can do what I want! I can be the biggest asshole one the planet and nobody can tell me I cannot because IT IS MY FUCKING RIGHT!
Well. No longer is it your right. Or anyone's.
Thanks. Thanks a lot. On your way out, go play with something poisonous. Or the gun you like so much. I'm pretty sure you're about as competent and responsible with ... BUT IT IS MY RIGHT TO HAVE A GUN!!!!!1111!!!!
Yes. And I'd be the last one to take it from you.
We used to have a Bill of Rights. Now, with the rights gone, all we have left is the bill.
What about my 18 pound Remote control airplane that goes about 50 mile an hour? I'm far faster and far more deadly than any "drone" which is uneducated speak for quadcopter.
These new rules were written by morons in response to knee jerking.
Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
ya because your finger prints and none of his are in the RC chopper.
Jack of all trades,master of none
I am still struggling to understand, what argument is there for mandatory license-plates on personal vehicles, that would not also apply to people having to carry identification. And not just any identification, but visible at all times from different sides whenever in public or where the public has legal right to access.
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
It will be interesting to see how well they validate registrations.
I'm sure it will go over just fine. How hard could it be for the government to setup a functioning website?
"A plan fiendishly clever in its intricacies"- Homer Simpson
The 5 bucks you gave them on a CC?
No sir I dont like it.
"Penalties for failing to register could reach $27,500 in civil fines and $250,000 and three years in prison for criminal penalties. But Michael Whitaker, deputy administrator of FAA, said initial efforts will be to get everyone signed up rather than to punish owners, unless it is an egregious incident."
"Up to $250,000 and three years in prison" for failing to file paperwork on a half pound toy, isn't our government reasonable.
I have a UAV, it's a fun toy and gives me some different perspectives as a landscape photographer. I seriously don't see the issue in registering it - it costs $5 (or $0 if I'm quick) and I only have to provide my name and address, which any vaguely determined cop could already get from my credit card records if they really wanted.
Given that some people do seem to have trouble using them sensibly, mandating a record (despite the fact that no, it won't catch everyone) seems reasonable. I mean having cars be registered is pretty uncontroversial and does help with tracking down irresponsible drivers, even if it's not 100% effective. The potential for misuse seems pretty small to me.
---- Den ene knappen er powerknapp, den andre er Bender voice knapp "Bite My Shiny Metal Ass"
I for one am glad to be part of Pax Americana, the First Taurean Airborne.
-- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
No.
I won't pay you more money because some fucking retard decided he can't be mature enough with his toy. I won't add myself to yet another fucking list that you can use against me for some nefarious reason in the future.
Not going to happen. Your registry will do exactly ZERO to curb this problem, and I won't bend over because you say so.
Fuck you.
...using a credit card you bought with cash under your target's name at some convenience store?
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
But the gun lobby has seen to it that you can have up to 50 pounds (a shitload) of the stuff with no secure storage or permit requirements, as long as it is claimed to be for firearms use.
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The larger ones (High Power Model Rockets) require flight clearance and/or airspace waiver from FAA prior to launch, but there is no registration of individual rockets required.
Remember "News for Nerds, Stuff that Matters"? Help make it a reality again! http://soylentnews.org
The FAA estimates that in calendar year 2014, 200,000 small unmanned aircraft were operated in the NAS in model aircraft operations. During this period, the FAA received 238 reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations.
Your numbers show a ratio greater than 1:1000 for incidents:vehicles. I think that is a pretty good indication that regulation is needed. The goal is not to stop terrorists from using drones, but rather to find the idiot who slammed his drone into a crowd of people while filming in a stadium.
It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
drones didnt exist, became a thing, and have to be registered by february - wonder how many more years itâ(TM)ll take before guns have to be registered..?!?
but this is america - where kinder surprise is illegal, and guns are a god-given right.. :-/
licensing requirements for CB radios were back in the 1970s.
And just like the FCC, the FAA isn't going to have the resources to go after every kid with an RC quadcopter.
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To: 9-AFS-UAS-Inquiries@faa.gov
Hi,
Regarding the drone registration program... inquiring minds want to know... have policy makers and higher ups in your office, have they gone totally bonking mad?
Does nobody have a clue, as to what amount of useless data and pointless hassle this program will generate? Do you really think having people register $30 plastic toys is productive?
As soon as everyone realizes, let's switch over to honesty and call it a drone tax. Unless you have fairies on unicorns to process that god awful noise... ahem, "data".
I totally understand that levying VAT on cheap-ass toys arriving from China in gray plastic bags is a nuisance, and state revenues need supplementing, but this is not the proper way to do it. This is stupid.
Who will use the collected data for what, please don't ask. It certainly won't be used to guarantee anyone's safety. Data overload is not safety. While your colleagues are busy reaping together hay, all sorts of needles will have it easy.
So rest assured, this can only lead to a comedy of global proportions, but if that's what must happen, so be it. Where I live, drone registration is required too, and the entire city where I live in is a no-drone-zone, and practically nobody gives a flying fck. Everyone and their cat ignores the drone ban here, and unless you've got some new kind of people there, the same will happen.
Meanwhile, back when we had USSR, I was not obligated to register my model rockets.
P.S. Attaching a neat aerophoto from my first UAV back in 2004. No laws needed, thank you very much. smile emoticon
With best regards,
Anonymous.
That's less than a quarter million per incident. Can't you see what a great value that is? Just think, our government can protect us from hundreds of dollars of damage! Isn't it wonderful?!
""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."
Oh shut the fuck up already. The only thing you're "excited" about is the revenue stream you just created with this bullshit registration.
Culture of safety and responsibility...as if the creation of a drivers license suddenly made teenage drivers magically safe and responsible...
Re mass vs weight. I was curious about that a few weeks ago, so I looked it up. It turns out weight is defined in the relevant standard as being exclusive of buoyancy. So at MSL on earth, the weight and the mass are the same. On the moon, they're different because weight is determined by the local gravity and the mass. Which means a submarine on the surface weighs a lot, which makes sense.
ALSO, FAA weight is "empty weight", without any fluids.
There is absolutely, not one shred of constitutional justification for this. The FAA has legitimate jurisdiction over interstate air travel and aircraft that are planned to be used for such. It has no constitutional jurisdiction over the use of RC drones, within a state's borders, that touches on no federal property and that is barely intended to be flown to the perimeter of one's community.
This is the job of the states. California doesn't need drone regulations to punish the guys who interfered with the fire fighters during the last wave of wild fires. There are probably half a dozen more serious, felony-level charges that could be directed at the drone operators for interfering with emergency personnel operations.
Autonomous flight capabilities. If it loses connection with the user controls, does it hover in place, land safely, return home, or crash? If it does anything other than crash in that scenario, it's a drone. This has already been defined.
APK quotes people (including myself) without context and should not be trusted. Just thought you should know.
It's for redundant comments, not stuff smart people already know. Slashdot is clearly not only for smart people.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
It won't be just $5 for long. This will probably be like gas and cigarette taxes, where they will keep going up every time Congress needs additional revenue to meet another budget shortfall.
Not it won't be profitable, but the required recurring testing will be.
If I declare it as a flying gun, do I still need to register it? ;)
Jumpstart the tartan drive.
The FAA estimates that in calendar year 2014, 200,000 small unmanned aircraft were operated in the NAS in model aircraft operations. During this period, the FAA received 238 reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations.
Your numbers show a ratio greater than 1:1000 for incidents:vehicles. I think that is a pretty good indication that regulation is needed.
Their wording states potentially unsafe incidents. I think that is a pretty good indication of exactly how hype and bullshit can turn the numbers you want to use as justification into a pile of meaningless crap.
What's the point of re-registering? I have a dozen planes that are over 30 years old.
This will be like registering your FRS radio. You know, the little hand held walkie-talkies from Fry's. I've asked hundreds of people I've met with them (we use them in our car club) and not a single person has registered theirs with the FCC. And yet, it's required before use. /shrug
You shrug. Perhaps this is why...
"FRS is licensed by rule. This means an individual license is not required to operate an FRS radio provide you comply with the rules. You may operate an FRS radio regardless of your age, and for personal or for business use if you are not a representative of a foreign government."
(Source: The FCC)
Does that include remotely controlled kites and control line models?
I think that some organizations must have been really mad, considering some of the pedantic (emphasis mine) things addressed by this document:
The Aviators Model Code of Conduct Initiative stated that this
definition and the definition of small unmanned aircraft may permit infant passengers and asked
the FAA to amend the definition to categorically prohibit the carriage of passengers on an
unmanned aircraft.
It's like $60 to do so. Not only that, but I spent 20 minutes trying to figure out how to register online before giving up.
We need to get Al Gore right on this.
The only kind of kite that cannot be remotely controlled from the ground to at least some extent is one where its strings or cord to the ground has broken.
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
I have about 40 planes that will fall under the registration process. I will be paying ~$200 every three years just so I can fly my aircraft.
From the FAA announcement: "Owners using the model aircraft for hobby or recreation will only have to register once and may use the same identification number for all of their model UAS."
So no, you won't be paying ~$200 every three years. You will be paying $5 every three years.
Maybe you are thinking of GMRS? Many of the cheap handhelds cover both frequency bands, but only use on the GMRS frequencies needs a license....
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Since you can legally be in the USA without necessarily being a citizen (just visiting, legal permanent resident, et al), are non-citizens forbidden from flying drones?
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
By this law, even operating the old Mattel toy Vertibird outside without registration would be illegal.
File under 'M' for 'Manic ranting'
licensing requirements for CB radios were back in the 1970s.
And just like the FCC, the FAA isn't going to have the resources to go after every kid with an RC quadcopter.
They don't have to go after every kid. They only have to go after enough and make the fine high enough that it is too risky to fly a drone without registering.
If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
So we'll start seeing new drones with lighter cameras and that work in tandem to perform the tasks of heavier drones. No doubt that making it under the weight limit will be a significant selling point...
I'm puzzled how the FAA can impose a new law without any prior discussion nor consultation with the stakeholders, technical experts and public representatives. Isn't there a political process required before this can happen, particularly given that they are collecting money? You know, democracy and all that good stuff.
Did you just come out of cryosleep or something? Even Slashdot has covered this before.
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
Q. What about tethered drones?
A. Both tethered and untethered UAS must be registered.
haven't read the article, but from the comments i gather it's 5 dollars for your number, which you add to everything you own.
correction, just browsed the article, yes, 5 dollars for your number, or 0 in the next month or so, then add to everything you own.
your outrage has no legs.
I have been flying model RC aircraft for about 20 years and a member of Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) for 19 years. I have about 40 planes that will fall under the registration process. I will be paying ~$200 every three years just so I can fly my aircraft. All of my planes have my AMA number in or on the fuselage and have my contact information inside the fuselage. My AMA membership gets me liability coverage, accident/medical coverage, accidental death coverage, fire, theft, and vandalism coverage, assistance in getting and keeping flying sites, monthly magazine, ... What does registering my aircraft with the FAA get me?
If you really have to pay $200 under this program, it would indicate you have a serious multiple personality disorder. I would quit flying and get professional help.
The registration will cost $5 for an unlimited number of aircraft and will be valid for three years.
source
Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
... and then when they interview the person and find them believably bewildered, they'll check the payment for the registration and find out it was a prepaid credit card and the registration was done from a different IP. Then they cross reference the cell phone signals inside the store where you used the credit vending machine with the ones near the IP address. Then they come to arrest you.
They will literally not get in trouble, beyond the hassle of having to be interviewed a couple times. Proving it wasn't them will be easy, and the investigators will quickly come to that conclusion on their own.
Cops are mostly idiots, but don't assume that applies to federal agents.
If you know someone's SSN, you can fuck them over for life just by filing a tax return declaring a couple million dollars of gambling winnings.
No, only for a few years at most.
delivered to your victims house?
bought in person?
alibi?
if you're going to go to extraordinary lengths to frame someone, i think we should be able to go to extraordinary lengths to investigate no?
Just duct tape a gun to your drone and tell the government that they're violating your second amendment rights if they try to force you to register the apparatus. They're too scared of the NRA to follow through.
https://www.washingtonpost.com...
Here's the important part for the 'tl,dr' crowd: The FAA is focusing on educating drone operators, since they believe most illegal operation of drones is due to ignorance on the part of the operators. Forcing you to pay a whole $5 for 3 years and put a number on your drone is a way to make you pay attention and learn the rules. Again: you're getting off EASY, they're not assuming everyone is a criminal or terrorist, they're not outlawing drones, they're not doing this to make money (in fact it probably COSTS more to operate the registration process than the $5 they're charging).
Are YOU using the TOOL, or is the TOOL using YOU? Think about it!
Trying to make excuses for Nazi style registration. Where is bicycle registration? rc car rego? Can't wait for the FAA to show up at little bobbys house and confiscate his unregistered arial device.
The ATF has finally unveiled its new hand gun registration rules. Starting on 21 December, all newly-purchased hand guns between .22 and .500 caliber must be registered before their first use. Owners of hand guns purchased before that time must register by 19 February 2016. The ATF will charge $5 to register the hand guns, though the first month of registrations will be free. "Make no mistake: gun enthusiast are militia, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility," said ATF director John Doe. "Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their guns safely. I'm excited to welcome these new gun enthusiast 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 gun by themselves.
Is my 9oz foam rc plane a drone? It has no self-guidance, no GPS, no FPV camera on board, it's just a scratch-built remote-controlled model airplane.
The linked "article" is light on information, therefore a RTFA! shout doesn't work in this case...
Trying to make excuses for Nazi style registration.
Not at all. Just correcting a mistaken assumption made by someone who couldn't be bothered to read the regs. Oh, and Godwin, by the way.
Where is bicycle registration? rc car rego?
Pretty sure the FAA has no authority in those areas. I do recall having a city-issued bicycle license (Los Angeles) when I was a kid, a long time ago; but the city stopped enforcing that in 2009.
When someone hands me a legal document that says one thing, and verbally promises to do another, it's a fair bet I'm about to get screwed over.
so who decides
It's arbitrary. Note that arbitrary laws is the definition of tyranny.
Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.
Correct, probably should have been a billion dollar budget then.
Website Just Down For Me? Find out
Now, people like me who fly RC airplanes and helicopters will have to register our stuff too. We always fly in a CONTROLLED environment, away from people, or out in a field on a farm. Thanks to these dunderheads, with their quadcopters
"Extraordinary lengths?" That shit is trivial. I have several anonymous pre-paid VISA cards I bought for cash at the mall, that I could register at the neighborhood library or coffeeshop using any name and address I want. The registered card can then be used to "verify" the name/address with a third party (in this case the FAA).
Please tell me Thinkgeek sells a Penis Drone (Nice cock block at 0:39, by the way) that I would then be required to register with the FAA! I think they'd sell like hotcakes!
I'm trying to teach myself to set people on fire with my mind... Is it hot in here?
Individuals are not required to get a license to operate CB radios.
You missed the part where I said "Back in the 1970s".
CB once required an FCC-issued station callsign and a license that was more or less automatically issued upon application (no test required like Amateur Radio). The license application came in the box with every CB rig sold, but I would be amazed if even 10% of them were ever mailed in. In addition to the license, there were (and still are) rules against all manner of activity which is common on the 27 MHz band, such as playing music, profanity/obscenity, hobby operations (that what Ham Radio was made for--CB was intended primarily for business and traffic safety purposes), running RF power amplifiers, and working DX stations (more than 100 miles distance, IIRC.
The CB craze of the '70s completely overwhelmed the FCC, who essentially abandoned any enforcement of their regs on that whole area of spectrum. About the only time you see a CBer subjected to FCC enforcement is if their rig is interfering with another licensed service, such as broadcast or amateur. 27 MHz is still a swamp today because of it...
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I will be paying ~$200 every three years just so I can fly my aircraft.
As other posts in this thread say, divide that number by 40.
My AMA membership gets me liability coverage, accident/medical coverage, accidental death coverage, fire, theft, and vandalism coverage
Give your lawyer a look at your AMA policy. You may not like what he says.
The battery alone for my largest heli (and it isn't big as helis go) weights 350g. I will not register it. I might possibly attack a sticker with a picture of Snoopy in aviation gear on his doghouse, shot up and streaming smoke... would that be an acceptable substitute?
It applies to Feds as well, luckily for society it applies to most criminals as well. Well thought out crimes are very hard for the authorities, see for example bank fraud, high profile heists and other professional crime. In some cases the criminals even end up changing the law to their benefit (Wall Street)
Custom electronics and digital signage for your business: www.evcircuits.com
From the USAtoday article: http://www.usatoday.com/story/...
The registry could be challenged in court.
Marc Scribner, a transportation expert at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, an advocacy group for limited government, said the FAA should have allowed public notice and comment about the final rule for the registry, which will be published Tuesday in the Federal Register. Ignoring those requirements means government officials "are practically demanding litigation," Scribner said.
“The FAA’s mandatory consumer drone registration scheme is both unreasonable and probably illegal,” said Eli Dourado, director of the technology policy program at George Mason University’s Mercatus Center, who said he expects the registry to be overturned if challenged in court. “There is little evidence that small consumer drones — essentially toys — pose a risk to the national airspace.”
A 2012 law that called for the FAA to develop rules for commercial drones explicitly prohibited the FAA from regulating “model aircraft” for “hobby or recreational use” that is operating within community-set guidelines.
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If you ever might want to own a drown in the future, go register a few dozen times now and stock up your licenses. Save you $5 on every drone.
No surprise here. Battery-powered flying craft + populated areas = regulation.
https://www.youtube.com/result...
Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
No, they realize there are two options.
Fly quads, get bored and go back to video games or move onto more challenging and fun modes of flight.
If 10% of the current craze of quad 'pilots' go on to real RC flight (which is also much easier with gyro stabilization) it will double the size of the hobby.
John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'