The US Federal Aviation Administration said that around 300,000 drone owners have registered their small aircraft during the first month since the aviation agency began its online registration system. According to the agency, the registration rule that came to effect on December 21, 2015, employs to small drones that weigh in the range of 0.55 pounds to 55 pounds.
The possessor of these drones must enrol their vehicle before they operate their remote-powered aircraft outdoors. In addition, the agency said that the enrolment has a valid period of three years.
The drone owners who registered during the first month earned a refund for the 5 US dollar application fee. The Federal Aviation Administration noted that the refund time expired and that the fee will envelope all the small unmanned airplane which the owners utilize for hobby purposes.
Owners who operated their drones before December 21 must enrol their devices within February 19, 2016. The present online registration system is available exclusively for owners who plan to utilize their drones for only recreational purposes. The aviation agency said that it is planning to provide online enrolment system for users of non-model airplane like commercial users within March 21.
The certificate includes the enrolment number which must be indicated in the drones that meet the enrolment necessities. The registration number helps to identify aircraft in time of accidents. It also offers chance to educate the drone users on safety necessities before they start flying their vehicle.
According to Chicago Tribune, only drone users who are thirteen and above can register their aircraft. The owner must also be a citizen of US.
If a user fails to enrol his or her vehicle, he or she will be charged up to $27,500 as civil penalties. In case of criminal penalties, the user will be fined up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for nearly three years.
The aviation agency has anticipated that nearly 1.6 million remote-controlled drones would have been sold in 2015 and half of that were purchased in the final quarter, Chicago Tribune said.
The Daily Record said that the aviation agency received nearly 100 reports per month from pilots who complained about the remote-powered drones flying near their airspace and that the fresh set of rules came out mainly as a security measure.
Michael Huerta, the administrator of FAA, said, "The registration numbers we're seeing so far are very encouraging. We're working hard to build on this early momentum and ensure everyone understands the registration requirement." Anthony Foxx, the secretary of transportation, said that he is very much pleased with the public response to enrol their drones.
Join the Conversation