Drone Registration Takes Off In United States

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Monday started online registrations for the owners of “small unmanned aircraft”. The drone owners must register with the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) before they fly outdoors.

According to the terms and conditions mentioned on the website, the registration must be done by a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident with 13 years of age or older. For drone owners less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the small unmanned aircraft.

Moreover, drones weighing over 0.55 lbs. (250 g) and less than 55 lbs. (25 kg) must be registered. Unmanned Aircraft weighing over 55 lbs. are not eligible for this registration process and must register using the Aircraft Registry process, the FAA said.

The registration costs only $5 and if done before midnight EST, January 20, 2016, the registration fee will be refunded. It is valid for three years and once an owner receives a registration number, he can use it on all of his unmanned aircraft if they meet the online registration criteria. Those who fail to comply could face a fine of up to $27,500.

The FAA has warned that in "severe cases" of drone abuse it can result in a criminal prosecution which could see offenders fined with $250,000 and up to three years in prison, BBC reported.

The FAA rules require drones to stay below 400ft (120m), be visible to their pilot at all times, never be flown near manned aircraft, never fly over groups of people, stadiums or sporting events, and never fly near emergency workers.