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Surprise! FAA requires hobbyists to register drones

BERLIN, GERMANY - DECEMBER 02: A mini quadcopter drone meant for FPV racing flies in a hall during a gathering of drone enthusiasts on December 2, 2015 in Berlin, Germany. Drone racing is becoming an increasingly popular pastime in North America and Europe with racing competitions occrurring reguarly.   (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
A mini quadcopter drone meant for FPV racing flies in a hall during a gathering of drone enthusiasts.
(
Sean Gallup/Getty Images
)
Listen 17:59
Surprise! FAA requires hobbyists to register drones

The Federal Aviation Administration announced today that drone hobbyists across the country will need to register their unmanned aircrafts if they weigh over 9 ounces.

Owner of an unmanned drone would need to provide a name, a physical address, and an email address with the FAA.

Those who fail to join the registry could be fined.

Is a national drone registry the best way to ensure everyone’s safety and privacy?

Guests:

Brian Wynne, CEO of the association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, a drones trade group with 7,500 members from government, industry and academia. He is a member of the task force that made recommendations on the registry to the FAA.

Rich Hanson, government and regulatory affairs representative at Academy of Model Aeronautics, a group representing 185,000 hobbyists nationwide and participated in the task force