The Federal Aviation Administration requires drone owners as young as 13 years old to register their unmanned aircraft. They unveiled a pre-Christmas rule on Monday and an online registration was provided by the US Department of Transportation.
According to ARS Technica, by February 19, 2016 the registration is required. All aircrafts bought after December 21 must register first before flying it outdoors. US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said in a press release that all unmanned aircraft enthusiasts are aviators and they are responsible for flying it. He added that registering it will give them opportunity to work with these users to control their unmanned aircraft securely. He is thrilled to welcome these new aviators into the traditions of safety and accountability that classifies American innovation.
CNBC reported that according to the Federal Aviation Administration, recreational drone users will have to supply their name, physical address, email address and a credit card payment of $5 for user verification reasons. Federal Aviation Administration added that owners who pay the registration fee between Dec. 21 and Jan. 20 can be compensated for it. Owners who will not register will have to pay fine of up to $27,500 or criminal penalties including fines of up to $250,000 and perhaps three years imprisonment, stated to the agency. Clay Coleman, an oceanic air traffic controller supervisor at the FAA and director of the Bay Area Drone Film Festival, said that when it comes to drones, U.S. is in the Wild West.
A pour of scoundrel drone flights near airports and jam-packed public venues is the reason for the new rule. It has raised wellbeing concerns among authorities across the United States. However, the Academy of Model Aeronautics, a group on behalf of hobbyists, said there is a law passed in 2012 that stops the FAA from controlling unmanned aerial systems, or UAS and this new registry could violate it. Reuters reported that AMA Executive Director Dave Mathewson said they are saddened about the new rule.
This not-so-fun new rule by the FAA is upsetting many drone users. But the public is supporting it for the safety of the many.
