FAA announces drone owners must register by February 19th, 2016

@jaybird This is a case where the 0.07% spoiled it for the rest of us.

The FAA report estimates 1,600,000 sUAV's in operation in 2015. They investigated 1133 incidents of potentially unsafe operation. Assuming each of the estimated 1.6M sUAS's took only one flight in the entirety of 2015, that's a rate of 0.07% of sUAS flights reported as unsafe.

Keep in mind, those 1133 were reported to be POTENTIALLY unsafe. FAA did not release the numbers of their ACTUAL finding in any of those cases.

My guess would be the majority of the 1133 reports were unfounded. But that's just speculation. Don't misunderstand my point... I absolutely believe there are irresponsible drone owners out there. But I don't believe it exists in the epidemic proportions the FAA report was written to slant us to believe.

So now everyone with a sUAS weighing more than 1/2 pound must register it, and post the registration number on the hull. Oh, and by the way... there is nothing in the FAA finding or rule that limits this rule specifically to multirotor models (aka Drones, quadcopters, hexacopters, octocopters, etc). By the letter of the rule, ALL remote control model aircraft hobbyists must register any aircraft weighing more than 1/2 pound GVW (all in, including battery, camera, gimbal, etc.).

And all this, despite the majority of testimony indicating aircraft of the size and weight of your average DJI Phantom did not present a significant safety hazard.

@ruouttaurmind well said. as you had to have guessed, my statement was oozing sarcasm. I know that most people are responsible. I believe that gov't looks for any and every reason to generate income and restrict liberties. I could see maybe some registration if you use an rc aircraft in a public park or public location for business or an organization to have a blanket license for special events (who am i kidding, i don't like either of those senarios either.)

@DJMajickMan Apparently it's necessary to pay $5 when you register, but that money will eventually be refunded if you complete the registration process before January 20th.

@DJMajickMan @ruouttaurmind registration lasts 3 years, I'm guessing we'll have to pay for renewing.

@Ignorant I doubt we'll have to pay for renewing... because FAA will have succeeded in outlawing private drone ownership by then...

@ruouttaurmind lol, good point.

@djslack I imagine the thing that compels folks like you and I to comply is the $27,500 fine looming above. We have too much to lose NOT to comply.

I totally agree... as long as a drone can be purchased without a Form 4473, background check and waiting period, it's only guys like us who will register. The 14 year old punk down the street from me will get one for Christmas, buzz it around at the skate park filming his bros digging Ollies and shuvin' Ghosties, totally oblivious to the registration requirement.

Furthermore, the method FAA opted for is inefficient. They should issue a registration number to each pilot, not to each aircraft. The pilot can place the pilot registration number on each model, rather than a unique aircraft ID. If it's accountability the FAA is after, this kinder, gentler process offers the same accountability in a much simpler process. If it's inhibiting bureaucratic red tape their after, the current system is definitely the way to go.

@ruouttaurmind i was under the understanding that registration was per pilot. I think those fines are maximum fines and would not be the case for minding my own business on private property.

I just consider it an overreach, personally, and don't see how it affects anything except the ability to identify a labeled craft and charge someone with improper use of it.

@ruouttaurmind very valid point. That and this action contradicts rules put in place for model aircraft in 2012.

@djslack I've slept a minute since 112-95 was enacted, but as I recall, it was an actual, genuine, authentic law enacted by Congress and signed by the president.

This new FAA rule... not a law, and, as you mention... directly contradicts 112-95.

Any volunteers for Supreme Court standing?

@DJMajickMan and when that happens I bet it would be an unregistered drone operator.

And then we will all have to register our laser pointers too.

@Ignorant So just when I came to terms with the idea that I'd have to register to keep out of trouble... now this. I value my privacy and there is absolutely NO valid reason to make that information publicly available. If someone has a complaint about a registered drone, they should report it to the FAA or local authorities, but they most definitely should NOT have access to my private information!

@ruouttaurmind Register your home from high school :D or your first office job. LOL

@sportykev I'm still on the fence about it. I'm very cautious about the release of personal information. I have sort of an inclination to avoid registration until privacy assured.

@username I went out to weigh mine, then realized it has a gimbal on it...suffice it to say it's more than 250 grams. (Their site says <1200 g.)

@username Three or four pounds. Well over the half-pound cutoff.