Unmanned aircraft registration requirement announced by FAA
NewsOctober 23, 2015
WASHINGTON. U.S. Transportation officials announced the creation of a task force aimed at developing recommendations for a registration process for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and Federal Aviation Administrator (FAA) Administrator Michael made the announcement. “Registering unmanned aircraft will help build a culture of accountability and responsibility, especially with new users who have no experience operating in the U.S. aviation system,” Foxx says. “It will help protect public safety in the air and on the ground.”
The task force will be composed of 25 to 30 representatives from the UAS and manned aviation industries, the federal government, and others. The group will advise the Transportation Department on which aircraft should be exempt from registration due to a low safety risk, including toys and certain other small UAS. The task force also will look at options for a streamlined system that would enable registration to be less burdensome for commercial UAS operators.
The task force may also make additional safety recommendations as it deems appropriate. Secretary Foxx directed the group to deliver its report by Nov. 20.
Every day, the FAA receives reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations, according to an FAA release. Pilot sightings of UAS doubled between 2014 and 2015, say FAA officials. The reports ranged from incidents at major sporting events and flights near manned aircraft to interference with wildfire operations.
“These reports signal a troubling trend,” Huerta says. “Registration will help make sure that operators know the rules and remain accountable to the public for flying their unmanned aircraft responsibly. When they don’t fly safely, they’ll know there will be consequences.”
While the task force does its work, FAA officials will continue education and outreach efforts, including the “Know Before You Fly” campaign and “No Drone Zone” initiatives with the nation’s busiest airports.
The agency also will continue to take strong enforcement action against egregious violators, according to the FAA release.
