Drone registry plan expected by Christmas

Close encounters between drones and commercial aircraft are becoming more frequent, and the federal government is planning new rules to keep planes safe.

The Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration aim to have a web-based registration portal for privately owned unmanned aerial vehicles up and running before Christmas, said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

The portal is part of a wider drone regulation plan, including registration process for unmanned aerial vehicle systems. A task force of public officials and private stakeholders has been formed to deliver policy recommendations on drone issues, with a report due out by Nov. 20.

Foxx and FAA Administrator Michael Huerta unveiled the plan at an Oct. 19 event, which included trade groups and associations representing such stakeholders as drone manufacturers, commercial pilots, airport administrators and model plane hobbyists.

Registration would apply retroactively to all privately purchased drones, not just new purchases.

The intent is "to send a signal that this is serious," Foxx said in a news conference. "This isn't driving your ATV on your property," Foxx said, adding that there could be penalties for those not registering their aircraft.

The aim of the registration is to trace drone ownership in the event pilotless aircraft are seen violating flight rules in restricted areas or operating in an unsafe manner. Exactly what information the web portal will collect from private drone owners is part of what the task force will explore, said Foxx.

The group will also advise DOT officials on what aircraft should be exempt from registration because of low safety risk, including toys and certain other small UAS. The task force also will explore options for a streamlined system that would make registration less burdensome for commercial UAS operators.

A longer version of this story originally appeared on FCW, a sister site to GCN.