US Transportation Secretary announces unmanned aircraft registration requirement

WASHINGTON, DC – US 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 Un

WASHINGTON, DC – US 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.

โ€œRegistering 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,โ€ Foxx said. โ€œIt will help protect public safety in the air and on the ground.โ€

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.

โ€œThese reports signal a troubling trend,โ€ Huerta said. โ€œRegistration will help make sure that operators know the rules and remain accountable to the public for flying their unmanned aircraft responsibly. When they donโ€™t fly safely, theyโ€™ll know there will be consequences.โ€

While the task force does its work, the FAA will continue its aggressive education and outreach efforts, including the โ€œKnow Before You Flyโ€ campaign and โ€œNo Drone Zoneโ€ initiatives with the nationโ€™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:
โ€ขThe Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International
โ€ขAcademy of Model Aircraft
โ€ขAir Line Pilots Association
โ€ขAmerican Association of Airport Executives
โ€ขHelicopter Association International
โ€ขPrecisionHawk
โ€ขAirMap/ Small UAV Coalition
โ€ขConsumer Electronics Association

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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