Drone and UAV Technology Reviews, Articles, News, Build Logs
December 14, 2015
Contact: Les Dorr or Alison Duquette
Phone: (202) 267-3883
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today announced a streamlined and user-friendly web-based aircraft registration process for owners of small unmanned aircraft (UAS) weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms) including payloads such as on-board cameras.
The Registration Task Force delivered recommendations to FAA Administrator Michael Huerta and Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on November 21. The rule incorporates many of the task force recommendations.
“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.”
Registration is a statutory requirement that applies to all aircraft. Under this rule, any owner of a small UAS who has previously operated an unmanned aircraft exclusively as a model aircraft prior to December 21, 2015, must register no later than February 19, 2016. Owners of any other UAS purchased for use as a model aircraft after December 21, 2015 must register before the first flight outdoors. Owners may use either the paper-based process or the new streamlined, web-based system. Owners using the new streamlined web-based system must be at least 13 years old to register.
Owners may register through a web-based system at www.faa.gov/uas/registration
Registrants will need to provide their name, home address and e-mail address. Upon completion of the registration process, the web application will generate a Certificate of Aircraft Registration/Proof of Ownership that will include a unique identification number for the UAS owner, which must be marked on the aircraft.
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. The registration is valid for three years.
The normal registration fee is $5, but in an effort to encourage as many people as possible to register quickly, the FAA is waiving this fee for the first 30 days (from Dec. 21, 2015 to Jan 20, 2016).
“We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season,” said FAA Administrator Huerta. “Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly.”
The online registration system does not yet support registration of small UAS used for any purpose other than hobby or recreation – for example, using an unmanned aircraft in connection with a business. The FAA is developing enhancements that will allow such online registrations by spring of 2016.
The full rule can be viewed here:www.faa.gov/news/updates/media/20151213_IFR.pdf
According to many estimates there will be TWO MILLION drones sold this holiday season. Personally I’m excited to drive around Christmas day and see all the crashed drones everywhere and pick up a few for spare parts.
Below are a few suggestions for those of you shopping for a drone. Prices range from under $15 to about $1200.00. I’ve broken the suggestions down by prices, low to high. Click on the drone image and it will you straight to Amazon to buy it and be done with your holiday drone shopping!
At $14.19 this is the cheapest drone I’ve ever seen.
Features
Features
This is a quadcopter with built in camera. Husban is a well known brand in the tiny drone market.
Features
This is the most popular higher level drone ever sold. I even have one! A good stage for a GoPro owner who wants to graduate up to a higher quality craft.
World’s First FeaturesThe first consumer drone with a brain, Solo is powered by twin computers. Only drone to stream wireless HD video from GoPro direct to iOS/Android devices. Powerful Smart Shot technology makes capturing incredible cinematic footage easy and automatic. First with in-flight GoPro access: Start/stop recording and adjust camera settings from the ground (with Solo Gimbal). Hardware FeaturesRevolutionary, intuitive video game-style controller. Solo Gimbal (sold separately) delivers smooth footage, GoPro power and control, HDMI video and intelligent camerawork. Future-proof accessory and gimbal bays make Solo ready for tomorrow’s technology : Concepts under development include LiDAR for super stable indoor flight; ballistic parachute system; flight rewind and more.
Software FeaturesFull-featured app for iOS and Android puts total craft control at your fingertips. Unique safety features like pause and ‘safety net’ mean you can fly with confidence. Take to the air in seconds with effortless pushbutton flight. Free software and feature updates ensure your Solo grows and adapts with advancements in technology. |
I’ve reviewed this amazing quadcopter. Check out the Ambient Flight Yuneec International Q500 4K Typhoon Review.
Personal Ground Station with built-in touchscreen
Integrated 3-axis precision gimbal camera
4K/30fps ultra high definition video, 1080p/120fps slow motion video
User controlled video resolution, white balance and light exposure
12 megapixel photos with No-Distortion Lens
Associated press articles today are announcing that the FAA wants even small drones to be registered. Well, I’m ready!
My Small Drone Ready for FAA Registration!
What could possibly go wrong?
