U.S. Transportation Secretary Announces Unmanned Aircraft Registration

[Dragon029]

http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/u-s-transportation-secretary-anthony-foxx-announces-unmanned-airc

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx Announces Unmanned Aircraft Registration Requirement​

​

New Task Force to Develop Recommendations by November 20​

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta today announced the creation of a task force to develop recommendations for a registration process for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS).​

The task force will be composed of 25 to 30 diverse representatives from the UAS and manned aviation industries, the federal government, and other stakeholders. The group will advise the 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 explore options for a streamlined system that would make registration less burdensome for commercial UAS operators. The task force may make additional safety recommendations as it deems appropriate. Secretary Foxx directed the group to deliver its report by Nov. 20.​

“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 said.​

“It will help protect public safety in the air and on the ground.” Every day, the FAA receives reports of potentially unsafe UAS operations. Pilot sightings of UAS doubled between 2014 and 2015.​

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 said.​

“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, the FAA will continue its aggressive 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. At the same time, it will continue working with stakeholders to improve safety to ensure further integration and innovation in this promising segment of aviation.​

Secretary Foxx was joined by representatives from the following stakeholder groups:​

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Academy of Model Aircraft Air Line Pilots Association American Association of Airport Executives Helicopter Association International PrecisionHawk AirMap/ Small UAV Coalition Consumer Electronics Association​

 

[gtg947h]

Uh huh.

Tell me Mr. Secretary, how exactly do plan to enforce this rule? Because I'll tell you right now, 75%+ of people flying them aren't going to bother with registration.

 

[merriman]

OK, lets start a pool: How long before the Fed's clamp down on ALL r/c hobby vehicles!

Not to worry though, I'm sure the new regulations will be administered in the same efficient, timely, and fair manner we've all learned to expect from our fine government leaders.

David

 

[xmotex]

I expect them to go way overboard, of course.
The Feds don't seem to know any other approach but "heavy handed as hell."

 

[TomS]

Given the timelines here, I can't imagine any sort of decent rulemaking happening. I suspect that the main goal is just to give them another hook to hang someone from if a drone does actually FOD an airliner or something.

 

[merriman]

Uh huh.

Tell me Mr. Secretary, how exactly do plan to enforce this rule? Because I'll tell you right now, 75%+ of people flying them aren't going to bother with registration.

All r/c systems and ready-to-play r/c vehicles will be registered at point-of-sale. Might as well as put the ATF in charge of this government program.

David

 

[Kiltonge]

All r/c systems and ready-to-play r/c vehicles will be registered at point-of-sale. Might as well as put the ATF in charge of this government program.

Hmm, I foresee a lucrative importation opportunity in flying unregistered drones in over the Canadian border...

 

[sferrin]

OK, lets start a pool: How long before the Fed's clamp down on ALL r/c hobby vehicles!

Not to worry though, I'm sure the new regulations will be administered in the same efficient, timely, and fair manner we've all learned to expect from our fine government leaders.

David

Clearly that is a militaristic drone. Nobody needs one of those. And drug runners use submarines so that makes it extra bad. And it's. . .it's <retreats to fainting couch> BLACK! Everybody knows that painting it black makes it extra deadly. No drone for you.

 

[merriman]

You're not helping!

 

[sferrin]

You're not helping!

;D