Analysts are predicting that 2015 will be the drone-givingest holiday retail season ever, and you can even buy drones in our Boing Boing store.
In the U.S., do you have to register your quadcopter or other drone with the government? Depends on the size. Very small quadcopters like this 0.53 oz 'nano drone' don't have to be registered. If your drone weighs 250 grams (roughly 0.9 ounces) or less, you're fine.
If you're a hobbyist who owns a drone larger than 250 grams, your registration deadline is Feb. 19, 2016. If you buy a drone after Sunday Dec. 20, 2015 (or receive one as a holiday gift), you have to register your drone before you fly it for the first time. If you don't comply with the FAA's rules, you risk thousands of dollars in fines.
This drone offered in our store is so small, it doesn't have to be registered with the FAA.
Today, the FAA gave reporters a preview of a new website it's launching for drone registration. It looks pretty simple, and should take only a few minutes.
Monday morning drone owners will find a registration link displayed prominently on the FAA's website. There will not yet be a separate landing page, but the site can also be accessed through knowbeforeyoufly.org, an industry website that shares drone safety tips.
[via Washington Post]
