Commercial Drone Alliance Executive Director and Global UAS Expert to Contribute to Aviation Safety The Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) has announced that its Executive Director, Lisa Ellman, has been appointed to the Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC). U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg selected Ellman to represent the commercial drone industry for a two-year […]
Registering your drone in the U.S. is essential not only to comply with Federal Aviation Administration regulations but also to avoid scams and hefty penalties.
Here’s how to register your drone properly and what you need to know to avoid legal troubles.
The who, where, and what of drone registration
So, who needs to register their drone? If your drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds (that’s 250 grams or more), you’re required by law to register it with the FAA, whether you’re flying recreationally or commercially under Part 107. Drones under 250 grams used for recreational purposes are exempt from registration. This is why drones under 250 grams are such a big deal.
Where do you go for drone registration? The only official site where you can register your drone is the FAA’s DroneZone. This site allows you to input your details and pay the $5 registration fee, ensuring you meet FAA regulations and avoid any penalties.
And what do you need for registration? Before starting the registration process, gather the following:
Physical and mailing addresses
Email address and phone number
Make and model your drone
Remote ID serial number (if applicable)
Credit or debit card for the $5 fee
Steps to register
Visit the FAA DroneZone website and create an account if you don’t already have one.
Choose your registration type: Select either Part 107 for commercial use or the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.
Enter your information: Provide your personal information, drone specifics, and the Remote ID serial number if required.
Pay the fee: The $5 fee covers all drones you own under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations.
Receive your registration number: You’ll get a registration number and certificate after payment. Keep a copy with you when flying.
Avoiding drone registration scams
Many scam websites mimic the FAA’s official site, charging up to $200 for drone registration—a process that should cost just $5. These sites often provide a legitimate registration number but at a steep markup, and they may misuse your data.
For example, after a quick Google search of “register your drone,” the first non-FAA site was droneregistration.com which charges $40 for drone registration.
Here’s how to spot a scam:
High fees: If a site charges more than $5, it’s not legitimate.
Multiple drone charges: The FAA’s $5 fee covers all your drones, so avoid sites that charge per drone.
False affiliations: Be cautious of sites claiming to simplify the process of being “approved” by the FAA.
The FAA advises registering only through their official DroneZone site to ensure you’re not overcharged or scammed.
Consequences of not registering your drone
Failing to register your drone can result in civil fines of up to $27,500 and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 or three years in prison. While it’s unlikely that the FAA is actively searching for unregistered drones to prosecute, if you accidentally fly in a no-fly zone or commit another violation and your drone isn’t registered, you could certainly face a hefty fine. Considering registration only costs $5, it’s not worth the risk.
The FAA considers various factors when determining fines, such as the nature of the violation, which could be anything from a minor oversight to a more intentional action. Penalties might be higher if you fly over crowds or use larger drones. The fine structure also depends on your operator category, whether you’re a commercial pilot, flight instructor, or just flying for fun. Certain violations, like interfering with wildfire efforts, could result in fines between $15,000 and $20,923 while failing to register your drone could lead to more significant penalties.
After registering your drone
Once your drone is registered, keep your certificate with you during flights. Make sure your drone is labeled with your registration number, and be ready to show your certificate to law enforcement if asked. When your registration expires (registration is valid for three years), renew it through the FAA DroneZone portal to remain compliant.
FAA’s Deputy Administrator Outlines Timeline for BVLOS Rulemaking and Plans for Drone and AAM Integration into National Airspace By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A high-ranking FAA official on Tuesday promised that the agency is on track to meet the scheduled timeline for issuing a final beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) rule by January, […]
Mayor John Nichols Calls for Delay on Increased Drone Deliveries Due to Noise Concerns and Zoning Issues By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The mayor of College Station, Texas is urging the FAA to slow down an effort by Amazon Prime Air to expand its drone delivery operations in the city. Mayor John Nichols wrote […]
Finding FAA-Recognized Identification Areas Made Easier with New Online Map With the arrival of summer, drone enthusiasts are gearing up for more outdoor activities. As drone flying gains popularity, it’s crucial for pilots to adhere to FAA regulations, including the Remote ID rule, which requires all registered drones to broadcast identification and location information while […]
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this week rolled out a simple but powerful product that should make it a lot easier to figure out where you can fly your drone without Remote ID.
In July 2024, the FAA released a new map that makes finding FAA-Recognized Identification Areas easier. Powered by ArcGIS, the map allows you to insert an address. From there, the map zooms into your region. If there’s a FRIA nearby, it’s marked with a red flag on the map.
A view of San Francisco though the FAA’s FRIA map.
Click that red flag to reveal more detail about the specific terms of the FRIA. The popup reveals its exact address, affiliated CBO or educational institution and the FRIA’s expiration date.
A view of the FRIA map when you select San Francisco’s lone FRIA. That’s the SF Drone School, located on Treasure Island.
Note that the FRIA map can change. Something that was a FRIA might not be anymore. (Typically the expiration date is displayed on the map, so you can plan in advance.) Meanwhile, FRIAs seem to be added at a relatively strong clip. So don’t fret if there’s not a FRIA near you today, as there could be one down the road. And hey, you might be in a position to apply to create your own local FRIA.
Why is the FAA’s FRIA map so important?
FRIA zones are designated areas recognized by the FAA. In them, drone operators can fly without having a Remote ID module or built-in Remote ID capabilities.
Under the FAA’s Remote ID rules for drones, operations of any drone that weighs .55 to 55 pounds are required to be Remote ID compliant. That generally means drones are equipped with a built-in or secondary module that broadcasts certain identifying information about its flight path and operator. The rule went into effect in September 2022 — but wasn’t officially enforced until March 16, 2024.
But Remote ID has proven to be burdensome for certain recreational pilots in particular. That includes pilots flying homemade racing drones that need to be as light as possible. It might just encompass pilots who just don’t want to share their data. FRIAs give those people a place to continue their hobby.
And then there’s another (perhaps unintended) reason why this FRIA map is so delightful. It’s a good indicator of not just safe places to fly, but places where you’re very likely to find fellow drone enthusiasts. For example, my nearest FRIA — located at the SF Drone School and affiliated with the Academy of Model Aeronautics — often brings so many friendly, knowledgeable and generous drone pilots together. Just check out my day flying with them on Drone Safety Day 2024 as proof:
Remote ID in a nutshell
As of March 16, 2024, all drone pilots who are required to register their UAS must also operate their aircraft following the final rule on remote ID. The final rule for remote ID, which is an FAA directive, requires that drones provide identification and location information. That information then needs to be accessible by other parties (like other drone pilots).
Consider it a sort of electronic license place system for drones.
Fly a drone with built-in Remote ID capability: Most new drones sold in the U.S. from major manufacturers like DJI. If your drone has built-in Remote ID capability, your job is easy. The drone automatically broadcasts its unique drone ID, location, altitude, velocity, control station location. That’s not all. It also broadcasts elevation, time mark, and emergency status throughout the period from takeoff to shutdown. Despite all that work, there’s really nothing to do on your end.
Fly a drone with a separate broadcast module: If your drone doesn’t have the built-in Remote ID capability, you must purchase a separate Remote ID module. You can usually affix these to your drone using a mounting solution like velcro. The best Remote ID modules cost less than $100 and are light so as to not impact flight times significantly. Companies like Zing Z-RID and Dronetag tend to dominate the space of making quality (and affordable) Remote ID modules.
Fly in a FRIA: Now that’s easier, since the map makes them easy to find and verify.
There are a few other situations where drones might not necessarily be Remote ID complaint. That includes drones operated for the military.
Certain rules still apply when flying in a FRIA zone
Just because you’re flying in a FRIA doesn’t mean you’re exempt from all the rules. You’re really only exempt from needing to broadcast Remote ID information.
Even in FRIA zones, all other FAA regulations still apply. This includes height restrictions, airspace rules, and guidelines for safe drone operation.
Some FRIA zones may have additional local regulations or requirements imposed by the landowner or manager. For example, a FRIA on a baseball field might be closed to drone pilots on days when the Little League games are going. Always check for any specific rules before flying.
The Energy Drone and Robotics Summit in Houston today hosted attendees, exhibitors and speakers from around the world and most industrial sectors. At the DRONERESPONDERS co-located event, FAA experts were on hand to discuss the current environment in public safety, and what’s coming for first responder drone programs. Sgt. Robert Dooley of the Florida Highway […]
The Energy Drone and Robotics Summit in Houston today hosted attendees, exhibitors and speakers from around the world and most industrial sectors. At the DRONERESPONDERS co-located event, FAA experts were on hand to discuss the current environment in public safety, and what’s coming for first responder drone programs. Sgt. Robert Dooley of the Florida Highway […]
The MassDOT Aeronautics Division hosted their first public-facing Drone Safety Day, showcasing the innovation, technology and safety culture that the department has developed to deliver a wide variety of drone services across the state. Held at the agency’s UAS training field, the event featured speakers and pilots discussing the broad range of applications that MassDOT […]
One of the world’s biggest air mobility events opened today in Amsterdam, as Amsterdam Drone Week kicked off. The event is uniquely global in nature, bringing stakeholders from around the world together to discuss regulations, operations, public opinion and integration. This morning, keynote addresses brought aviation leadership from Europe and the US together to discuss […]
