BREAKING!!! U.S. Will Require Drones to Be Registered

[SteveMann]

It's the US government - an entity that, by and large, is incapable of thinking that far ahead.

My best guess is that this is the start of something that will eventually lead to transponders or something similar being installed in drones, and being tracked by the authorities when one is being flown in an "irresponsible" (quotes used intentionally here) manner. If for no other reason than a build up to this type of nonsense, drone laws and drone registrations need to be fought against now.

It's not a government function, yet. All the announcement did was announce a task force to study registration. Even if the task force finishes on time with their recommendations for registration, I cannot imagine how the FAA is going to promulgate new rules requiring registration before the end of the year. This year, that is. Even if they take the rare step of declaring an emergency requiring new rules without going through the NPRM process, surely someone will sue to block the implementation of the rules under an emergency order.

The Federal Aviation Administration has the explicit right under federal law to issue emergency regulations related to air safety. But an emergency has to exist first. Just because an rogue drone might cause an accident is not an emergency and smacks of "Minority Report".

FAA has sometimes seen the need to issue Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFAR). These are frequently focused very specifically on a unique situation, and are usually given a limited length of time for effectiveness. SFARs include an emergency order to incorporate special training for operating a robinson R22 or R44 helicopter. There was a tendency that sudden cyclic movements could cause the main rotor to slice off the tail boom. It was a genuine emergency. Other SFAR's were issued to air carriers prohibiting flights over Somolia, Syria and Ethopia. there was the liklihood that an airliner could be shot down. It was a genuine emergency.

So, the FAA is going to make an emergency rule for something that has never happened? Where is the emergency?

 

[damitjim01]

It starts with one registration, then you'll have to register every year. Then you'll be required to have it inspected for safety features. Then insurance. Then licensing classes, under a new certification class by an FAA authorized instructor, etc.

That's how gov't operates. Once the door is opened, you can't close it.

 

[SteveMann]

This was presented by the DOT, not FAA. Big difference. Looks at how much your vehicle registrations are.

You didn't watch the announcement, did you? The DOT made the announcement, the FAA will register drones.

 

[damitjim01]

You didn't watch the announcement, did you? The DOT made the announcement, the FAA will register drones.

The DOT is involved. That's the workaround for the restrictions on what the FAA can do.

 

[SteveMann]

It starts with one registration, then you'll have to register every year. Then you'll be required to have it inspected for safety features. Then insurance. Then licensing classes, under a new certification class by an FAA authorized instructor, etc.

That's how gov't operates. Once the door is opened, you can't close it.

Re-registration is every three years. Mostly because people were relocating and forgetting to tell the FAA.

 

[gfredrone]

It starts with one registration, then you'll have to register every year. Then you'll be required to have it inspected for safety features. Then insurance. Then licensing classes, under a new certification class by an FAA authorized instructor, etc.

That's how gov't operates. Once the door is opened, you can't close it.

What? DJI products don't last 3 years.

 

[SteveMann]

The DOT is involved. That's the workaround for the restrictions on what the FAA can do.

The DOT does not "make" rules, they direct one of the agencies* who report to the DOT to promulgate rules. The Administrative Procedure Act (APA) sets forth the basic requirements for rulemaking, which includes an NPRM, a 60-day public comment period and a finalization process.

An emergency order requires an actual emergency.

*DOT Agencies:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Maritime Administration (MARAD)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST)
Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC)

 

[CloudsNeverDie]

Absolutely crazy. They miss a multi-year deadline to integrate UAVs into the airspace, then come out with this silly and inconsequential burden on the industry in a flash. Do they really think that registration will make the air safer? Sheer incompetence.

 

[Jman44]

Are they requiring the registration of rc airplanes with fpv cameras? This is getting rediculous...

 

[CRankin]

Sheer incompetence.

You just described the FAA in a nutshell. Well, the entire federal in general, actually. Most of the people who work at agencies like the FAA are only working there because they weren't competent or ambitious enough to succeed in private industry.

 

[tcope]

It's not a government function, yet. All the announcement did was announce a task force to study registration. Even if the task force finishes on time with their recommendations for registration, I cannot imagine how the FAA is going to promulgate new rules requiring registration before the end of the year. This year, that is. Even if they take the rare step of declaring an emergency requiring new rules without going through the NPRM process, surely someone will sue to block the implementation of the rules under an emergency order.

The Federal Aviation Administration has the explicit right under federal law to issue emergency regulations related to air safety. But an emergency has to exist first. Just because an rogue drone might cause an accident is not an emergency and smacks of "Minority Report".

FAA has sometimes seen the need to issue Special Federal Aviation Regulations (SFAR). These are frequently focused very specifically on a unique situation, and are usually given a limited length of time for effectiveness. SFARs include an emergency order to incorporate special training for operating a robinson R22 or R44 helicopter. There was a tendency that sudden cyclic movements could cause the main rotor to slice off the tail boom. It was a genuine emergency. Other SFAR's were issued to air carriers prohibiting flights over Somolia, Syria and Ethopia. there was the liklihood that an airliner could be shot down. It was a genuine emergency.

So, the FAA is going to make an emergency rule for something that has never happened? Where is the emergency?

Article on this. Very good questions as to the legality of any such registration.

U.S. To Require Registration Of All Drones; Hobbyists May Pose Legal Conundrum

 

[ianwood]

Bad cause and effect logic

Ssssshhhhut your mouth! I know it is! However, they don't! Or didn't. Or don't.

I am going to buy two dozen of these guys and register them all. Maybe I'll get them N numbers as well.

http://www.amazon.com/EZ-Fly-RC-Fli...F8&qid=1445287879&sr=1-22&keywords=mini+drone

 

[R2-D2]

I think everybody is going to just ignore this registration unless the fine is so expensive its cheaper to get the license than take a chance of getting caught without it.

Where I live we have several morons on city council who are ready to ban all drones and anything that can take photos from flying in their city anywhere, including your own back yard. They are now just waiting for the FAA to put out their official rules and then you watch city after city start banning all drones (except LEO).

 

[SteveMann]

I think everybody is going to just ignore this registration unless the fine is so expensive its cheaper to get the license than take a chance of getting caught without it.

Where I live we have several morons on city council who are ready to ban all drones and anything that can take photos from flying in their city anywhere, including your own back yard. They are now just waiting for the FAA to put out their official rules and then you watch city after city start banning all drones (except LEO).

The rules are already there:
49 USC § 40103 - Sovereignty and use of airspace
(a)Sovereignty and Public Right of Transit.—
(1) The United States Government has exclusive sovereignty of airspace of the United States.

 

[Zigs]

If you listen closely to the news conference, the rationale for this decision is to reinforce the message these are not toys and must be taken seriously. That's all this will do. The regulations that have been in the mill and should have been completed this Fall are still in the mill and aimed to be completed by next Spring. To the extent it suppresses the stupidity of those who might buy one on a lark and recklessly operate it, they will have achieved all that can be expected from THIS announcement.

Frankly, we all should hope this move helps keep nitwits away from drones. Otherwise restrictions will grow in severity down the road, imho.

-zigs

 

[LuvMyTJ]

This was presented by the DOT, not FAA. Big difference. Looks at how much your vehicle registrations are.

The US DOT doesn't set your vehicle registration fee's, your state DOT does and state vary in the way they handle it. In NY it is by the vehicles weight and use, in some states it is by the age of the car. All depends on where you live.

My question is in the realm of hobby UAV's, does that mean the states have the say on fee's or will the Feds mandate the fees? I guess time will tell.

 

[gfredrone]

I think everybody is going to just ignore this registration unless the fine is so expensive its cheaper to get the license than take a chance of getting caught without it.

Where I live we have several morons on city council who are ready to ban all drones and anything that can take photos from flying in their city anywhere, including your own back yard. They are now just waiting for the FAA to put out their official rules and then you watch city after city start banning all drones (except LEO).

Don't forget the appraisal district...

 

[Hjones62]

Some of you Guys here worry to much, just go fly and follow the **** rules!!

 

[GadgetGuy]

Live stream of US Department of Transportation Press Conference in case you missed it. Starts at 9:44.

Quoting from the "bottom line" summary of the DOT spokesperson at the Press Conference today:
"In most cases, we've seen the drone, but we haven't seen the person operating it. This will help with that."

1. How does registration of a drone you can see help in any way to "see" the operator, unless the drone is actually shot down or crashed and recovered, assuming that it is, in fact, even registered, and registered to a real person?

2. How does registration establish that the registered owner was, in fact, the person operating it at the date and time of any incident?

3. Unless the drone is actually in the hands of law enforcement, a registered drone does absolutely nothing to help "see" the person operating it! The only way the drone ever ends up in the hands of law enforcement is if it crashes and isn't turned into dust in the process. It's the cases where the drone is turned into dust that are the most dangerous.

Registration still doesn't come close to proving operation, any more than merely being the registered owner of a car is legal proof of being behind the wheel at the time of any accident!

Even the drunk security guard who crashed "his" Phantom on the White House lawn was not the owner of the drone. He was flying a friend's drone, so there you go!

 

[GadgetGuy]

Some of you Guys here worry to much, just go fly and follow the **** rules!!

What **** "rules"?
There aren't any **** rules, yet!
Just a bunch of Guidelines, so far!
Yes, go fly unfettered while you still can, but do so safely.
Don't fly over airports, stadiums, or fires!
That seems to be the three biggest concerns they are trying to naively address!