Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Huerta announced Wednesday at CES around 180,000 people have registered drones since the Unmanned Aircraft Registration System became law on Dec. 21, 2015.
"We’re encouraged by the registration numbers we’re seeing so far," Huerta said."... But this is just the beginning. Now that we have set up the registration system, our challenge is to make sure everyone is aware of the requirement and registers."
The drone registration system requires drone operators to register with the FAA. If you owned a drone prior to Dec. 21, 2015 owners must register prior to Feb. 19. For all drones purchased after Dec. 21, the FAA requires registration before the drone is ever flown.
"We’ve heard various estimates about the number of small drones that would be sold for recreational use this past holiday season. While the numbers vary, it’s clear that retailers expected to sell a significant number," Huerta said Wednesday, according to the FAA. "Safely integrating all of these new pilots into our National Airspace System is one of the FAA’s top priorities – to protect manned aircraft, to protect people on the ground, and to protect innovation."
Drones weighing more than .55 pounds (which includes nearly all drones sold) must be registered with the FAA. Registration costs $5 for each person but if you sign up in the first 30 days of the system you will be reimbursed the $5.
Despite some confusion, not every drone will be given an individual/specific serial number, but each drone user will get his or her own personal registration number. The user will then mark every done they own with their personal number on place of their drone as long as the number is legible.
"Registrants may put the number in the battery compartment if it is easily accessible," the FAA said.
The FAA is requiring all drone registration to be renewed every three years.
