Google has caught on. Amazon has caught on. Why are you a hold out? From Google’s ‘Project Wing’ to Amazon’s Prime Air, commercial drone delivery services are taking off in 2016. Go to the front of the class, follow me!
Why You Should Register, Even If You Don’t Own One
You’re probably asking yourself why apply for a drone certificate when you don’t own a drone. When you received your driver’s license did you own a car? Most likely it was in the event you wanted to drive or could use a car available to you. When you got your first credit card did you immediately max it out? Probably, the card was an emergency credit card, and in the event you needed to used it, it was available to you. Pilotless aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will become heavily regulated over the next few years – get in on the first wave.
Typically, when the word “drone” is mentioned, visions of military stealth pilotless aircrafts come to mind. It’s true that is way to apply the technology, however today we’re talking about civilian and commercial applications for drones. Over the next several years drones will expand existing business and create new markets – the variations of applications for drones is endless.
Regulators have stated that in by 3rd quarter of 2015, drone complains had doubled 2014 levels. Regulators had to take action.
Similar to driver’s licenses, firearm permits, and other licenses (or certificates) many are obtained before services or the use of the license is exercised. Drone regulations have barely started, it’s going to get worse, much worse. Five years from now we’ll need a license to run any drone outside and the only non-licensed drones will be caged indoors. Wait! That has already happened. Today, if your son, daughter, or nephew wants to run a remote controlled aircraft you now need a certificate to operate it.
Drones Disrupt Business
Amazon’s Prime Air initially started in 2013 as a Amazon beta project, focused on delivering purchased goods to customers in less than 30 minutes. What if instead of ordering pizza and picking it up, a drone could deliver the pizza using enabled location services and hone in on your iPhone? This isn’t years in the future, this technology is here today. There are a myriad applications. For example fellow sailors, when you’re at your boat and are waiting for the dock or harbor master, it’s never a speedy process. What if you could have basic services delivered to your boat e.g. ice, more beer, etc.? There are loads of applications including real estate appraisals, land surveying, and many other practical situations where the terrain (water, swampy, hot, cold) makes foot travel challenging and where the distances aren’t all that far.
After downloading and using the social driving app Waze, I find myself amazed at how I got around without it. I must have lost hours and hours stuck in traffic that could have been avoided. In this mythical world where drone volume, frequency, and capabilities are expanding soon drones will be able to communicate with each other about obstacles, weather, and other pertinent information which could require rerouting deliveries.
Who Needs a License?
While many people on December 14th, 2015 were preparing for the holiday’s and shopping for presents, I was reading the new regulations published by the FAA restricting drone activity. There are a few major reasons for that. First I’m a commercial rated pilot single-engine-land, commercial rated pilot multi-engine land and commercial rated seaplane pilot – I have a vested interest to fully understand what is flying around up there with me. But honestly, it more curiosity than anything else.
Allow me to cover some of the typical questions regarding drone registration.
Drone FAQs
Do you need to own a drone to register?
A. No. Similar to a driver’s license, you just need the desire.
What size drones do need to be registered?
A. Drones between .55 lbs. and 55lbs.
If I want to read the regulation, where would I go?
A. The FAA website has a section on model aircraft. There is an Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft, that reads like a typical regulatory rule. Also, the Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) has been published.
What if my drone is greater than 55lbs.?
A. You must register the drone through the aircraft registry process for Unmanned Aircraft (UA). It gets better, currently this process is all paper. It’s scheduled to be available online starting on March 31st, 2016. Also, if you meet one or more of the following conditions you must follow this aircraft registry process:
- Your aircraft is used for commercial purposes.
- Your aircraft is used for other than hobby and recreation.
- Your aircraft is greater than 55 lbs.
- You intend to operate your aircraft outside of the United States.
Will drones have to carry transponders or trackers (similar to how they locate lost planes)?
A. The FAA hasn’t ruled on this. As of this post, no they are not required. The AOPA website has additional information on what’s required for aircraft and it’s not a far reach to think that UAS will shortly be included in, many if not all of, the regulations that apply to conventional aircraft.
What if you bought a drone after December 21st, 2015?
A. You need to register your drone before the 1st flight. People operate a UAS must register by February 19, 2016. Owners who purchased their UAS prior to Dec. 21, 2015 will have 60 days to register. People who do not register could face civil and criminal penalties.
Who needs to register?
A. Everyone. (Yes, this shocked me too.)
When does registration in the U.S open?
A. Registration opened December 21st, 2015. (I registered December 24th, 2015.)
Who can own a drone?
A. Anyone 13 years or older and who is a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
Do pilots have to register?
A. Yes, even pilots.
How long is my registration good for?
A. Three years.
How do I register?
A. You have to go to the FAA website. The specific step-by-step process outline below.
How much will this actually cost me?
A. The registration fee is $5, but registration is free until January 20th.
What do I need to register?
A. Email address, credit or debit card, and a physical address and mailing address (if different)
What is the penalty for failing to register?
A. Failure to register an aircraft may result in regulatory and criminal sanctions. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and/or imprisonment for up to three years.
Common Definitions:
- Unmanned Aircraft (UA) – means an aircraft operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft.
- Small Unmanned Aircraft (sUA) – means an unmanned aircraft weighing less than 55 pounds on takeoff, including everything that is onboard or attached to the aircraft.
- Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) – means a small unmanned aircraft and its associated elements (including communication links and the components that control the small unmanned aircraft) that are required for the safe and efficient operation of the small unmanned aircraft in the national airspace system.
No Fly Zones
There are areas where drones are not permitted. A digital kit has been released from the FAA to businesses providing information on how to post “No Drone Zones.” However, what is less known is where these signs will be posted and what regulatory bite they will carry if not followed. Today it’s unknown.
There are several areas that have clear restrictions for drone operators under this registration process including:
- Drone must be operated below 400 feet.
- Operator must be within visual line of sight of the drone
- Operator must be aware of FAA airspace requirements: faa.gov/go/uastfr
- Drone can’t be flown directly over people
- Drone can’t be flown over stadiums and sports events
- Drones can’t be flown near emergency response efforts such as fires
- Drones will not fly near aircraft, especially near airports
- Operator can’t fly under the influence
The Finer Points of Registration
Drones less than 55lbs used for hobby (not for commercial reasons) can be registered online. It literally takes 5 minutes and I’ll walk you through that process. However, if you want to run commercial drones e.g. earn money or make a profit from drone operation you will need to register as an aircraft and a licensed operator. If you’re familiar with the aviation industry, a pilot certificate allows you to fly planes, but if you want to fly them for profit you need a commercial pilot license – the level of experience and competency required is quite different. For example, to register a drone that will be flown within line-of-sight below 400′ you can be 13 years old. However, to fly a drone above 400′ you must be a licensed FAA Pilot, as that is considered controlled airspace (more on commercial operations in my next post).
What’s Required to Register a Small Unmanned Aircraft (sUA) under Part 47 (uUA under than 55 lbs):
- A complete Aircraft Registration Application, AC Form 8050-1 (available at an FAA Aircraft Registration Branch)
- Original Aircraft Registration application
- When a Limited Liability Corporation (LLC) is the applicant, additional information is required.
- For information on types of registration, when completing the U.S. Civil Aircraft Registration process, Form AFS-750-94 (PDF) is helpful.
- A full description of the sUA
- Full Legal Name of sUA Manufacturer or Builder
- sUA Model Designation
- sUA Serial Number
- Class (Airplane, Airship, Rotorcraft, Glider, Hybrid Lift, Ornithopter)
- sUA Maximum Takeoff Weight (including all items on board or attached)
- Category (able to operate on Land, Sea, or Both)
- Number of Engines
- Engine Type (2 or 4 Cycle Reciprocating, Electric,
- Turbo – Fan/Prop/Shaft/Jet)
- Evidence of Ownership, often Aircraft bill of Sale, AC Form 8050-2 (PDF)
- Confirmation the sUA is not registered in another country.
- An N-number to be assigned to the registered aircraft
- The $5.00 registration fee
Basically, it’s pretty straight forward. This is a much longer and more in depth process for commercial operations.
Impossible? As it turns out it literally does only take 5 minutes. Remember you don’t need to own a drone before you can obtain a certificate to operate.
Here are the Steps:
- Go to the FAA website for drone registration and select ‘Register My Drone” (on the left site).
- Enter your email and create a password. Then check your email and confirm the verification email.
- Log into the FAA website, enter your first and last name, an alternate email (optional), enter your physical address (and mailing if different), and credit card information for $5.
- From here, simply print your certificate!
Yes, it IS that easy. I timed myself and it took less than 5 minutes. I didn’t count the pre-reading and researching time which was hours, although, the actual registration process did only take 5 minutes.
Below is my certificate (less my certificate number) as a reference. The FAA announced today that between December 21st, 2015 and January 6, 2016 there have been over 181,000 drones registered, as reported by Reuters.
Signup before drones are regulated more heavily than they are today.
Commercial Drone Operations
You decided getting a drone certificate was a good call. You placed your UAS Certificate Number on each drone you operate and are following the rules. You’re a dreamer and know that you’re only scratching at the enormous opportunity drone adoption presents. You know the huge potential for streamlining existing businesses and building new viable businesses is just around the corner! What now?
In a future post I’ll outline the process to apply for a FAA Exemption as a commercial drone operator. We’ll cover what is required to be legal to operate above 400 feet, outside line-of-sight, and what it entails to be registered as a commercial drone operator.
Until then, register. Yes, even if you don’t own one today. You never know when you’ll wish you had.
References
Roger. (2015). FAA Drone Registration Rules (online image). Retrieved January 7, 2016, from https://3drobotics.com/faa-drone-registration-rules/
thecoolist.com. (2015a). 7 High Tech Drones For Sale Today • TheCoolist – The Modern Design Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.thecoolist.com/7-high-tech-drones-for-sale-today/
thecoolist.com. (2015b). Aibotix Aibot X6 1. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.thecoolist.com/7-high-tech-drones-for-sale-today/aibotix-aibot-x6-1/
Peter Nichol, empowers organizations to think different for different results. You can follow Peter on Twitter or on his blog. Peter can be reached at pnichol [dot] spamarrest.com.