FAA announced drone registration starts December 21

The FAA has announced the registration of drones bought before next Monday. The announcement came just before the holiday season, during which the sale rate of drones is high.

According to CNN Money, FAA officials revealed on Monday that the drone registration process will be initiated on December 21. Drones, which are purchased before next Monday, have to be registered within 60 days of their first flight.

The announcement has been made before the Christmas holiday as about 400,000 drones are anticipated to be purchased around it. The Consumer Technology Association claimed that this year will prove to be the "defining year" for drone sales.

Through the registration process, FAA officials aim to make owners operate their drones in a responsible manner. Secondly. If a drone is involved in a crash or any incident, authorities will be able to track it down.

FAA administrator Michael Huerta said in October, "When they don't fly safely, they'll know there will be consequences,"

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed that the registration process is for the owners of drones, weighing more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams) and less than 55 pounds (approx. 25 kilograms), as mentioned by the Federal Aviation Administration. The weight range also includes the payloads such as onboard cameras.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said, "Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiast are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,"

He further added, "Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their unmanned aircraft safely. I'm excited to welcome these new aviators into the culture of safety and responsibility that defines American innovation."

The FAA suggests parents do online registering on their website for their young drone owners, aged 13 as they are too young to register themselves, as reported by CBS News. The registration cost of the drone will be just $5 and has to be renewed after every three years. But until January 20, the first 30 days fee will be waived.

After the registration, owners will be provided with an identification number, which will be marked on owner's aircraft. Recreational fliers are benefited to register multiple aircraft on one registration number.

Owners who purchased aircraft before Dec. 21 must register by Feb. 19. Later purchases must be registered before their first outdoor flight. The agency explained that the owner's identity verification needs the provision of the name, home address and email and credit card payment will be accepted.

Some of the FAA's recommendations followed a task force appointed by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. However, a large group representing model airplane users are the ones who are mainly against the move.