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FAA To Require Drone Owners To Register Online

By Ian Bush

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- New government rules regarding drones may have you spending a bit more if there's one under your tree this Christmas. Starting next Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration will require drone owners to register online.

Toy drones -- those that weigh less than 250 grams, or about nine ounces -- aren't roped into these new regulations. But before operating those over that limit, you'll have to hand over $5, along with your name, email, and postal address, to the FAA (read the FAQ here). The registration number is good for three years for all the drones you own.

"I'm glad it's finally happening," says Lavon Phillips, who runs the 165-member Rotor-E Club Drone Group in Haddon Township, Camden County. "I think it happened quicker than we thought it would. I thought it would take years of back-and-forth red tape, so I'm glad that finally in 2015 we have some sort of base to start with."

Phillips says there's a responsibility that comes with piloting one of these powerful Unmanned Aircraft Systems, some of which can get far too close for comfort to passenger planes.

"I drive a car; I have to register it. If I want to pilot an airplane, I have to register it," he says. "Some of these drones are weighing in at 5, 6, 7 pounds and flying at 30, 40 mph. Absolutely, I'd like to see some registration. It just keeps the good people doing the good things and hopefully will start to eliminate some of the bad things."

Registering within 30 days of the December 21 start date will net you a refund of the $5 fee. Owners of drone businesses must still register with the government's legacy paper system.

The penalty for getting caught with an unregistered drone, even if it's homemade or if you're just flying in your backyard, is steep: up to a $250,000 fine and three years behind bars.

The FAA notes (PDF) that some popular smaller drones, including the TSQ Heli Max; Air Hogs Millennium Falcon and Helix quadcopter; UDI Discovery; and Sky Viper, are under the weight limit and don't need registration, unlike the Parrot Bebop and 3D Robotic Solo.

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