Drone Registration Requirements Reinstated
Included in the Fiscal Year 2018 authorization bill for the Department of Defense is a provision restoring the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) authority to require registration of all drones—both commercial and recreational.
The registration scheme, implemented originally at the end of 2016, encountered some turbulence when a federal court determined in May, 2017 that the FAA didn’t have the authority to require registration. Once the new DoD authorization measure is signed by the President, the original registration requirements are restored.
Even after the May court action, the FAA continued to maintain the registry, so this action may have little practical effect. It may allow for more enforcement of the registration requirement, although the FAA’s emphasis to date has been on education and not penalties.
The registration rule has the support of the drone industry, whose support appears to be essential to any new law or regulation concerning drone operation.