FAA Introduces Online Registration for Small UAS
Photo: DJI
Beginning today, owners of small unmanned aircraft systems used for commercial, public and other non-model aircraft operations will now have the ability to use a streamlined, Web-based registration process to register their aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration’s new Web-based process will significantly speed up registration for a variety of commercial, public use and other uses. The registration fee for users is $5.
“Registration is an important tool to help use educate aircraft owners and safely integrate this exciting new technology into the same airspace as other aircraft operations,” says FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
Those who own small UAS for purposes other than as model aircraft must currently obtain a Section 333 exemption, a public certificate of authorization or other FAA authorization to legally operate, in addition to registering their aircraft. Prior to today, the FAA required all non-hobby unmanned aircraft owners to register their aircraft with the FAA’s legacy aircraft registry in Oklahoma City.
The owners who have already registered in the legacy system do not have to re-register in the new system. However, the FAA is encouraging new owners who are registering for the first time to use the new, Web-based registration system. Those owners who register under the new system can easily access the records for all of the aircraft they have registered logging into their online account. Small UAS owners who have registered under the Web-based system with intentions to use their aircraft for purposes other than as model aircraft will also need to re-register to provide aircraft specific information.
The FAA first introduced the Web-based registration for model unmanned aircraft owners on Dec. 21, 2015. The FAA is expanding that existing website to accommodate owners of aircraft used for purposes other than model aircraft. This registration process includes additional information on the manufacturer, model and serial number, in addition to the owner’s physical and e-mail addresses.
