Jan. 02--If you got a drone over the holidays -- or bought one for a child -- there's more involved with this present then opening the box and going flying.
As of Dec. 21, the Federal Aviation Administration has required owners of small unmanned aircraft systems to register before their first flight.
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 or imprisonment for up to three years, says the agency's website.
The FAA has estimated that more than one million drones were sold this holiday season.
The new federal law comes in the wake of a series of incidents in the San Bernardino National Forest and elsewhere this year.
One of the most widely publicized was July 17, on Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass. That's when civilian drones flying near firefighting aircraft forced them to leave the area as flames swept across the freeway and ignited 20 vehicles.
Separately, at the Lake and Mill2 fires -- also in San Bernardino County this summer -- firefighting aircraft were temporarily grounded because drones flew above the fires, presenting a hazard to pilots, U.S. Forest Service officials have said.
Meanwhile, the California Department of Insurance has issued caution to check on your policies before flying.
"Every drone pilot should check with their insurance agent before they lift off," Dave Jones, insurance commissioner, said in a statement. "Drone hobbyists share the same level of responsibility as manned aircraft pilots to fly safely and make sure they're covered if their drone causes property damage or bodily injury."
A number of high-profile drone crashes and near misses illustrate the danger, including a drone crash that just missed a skier when it crashed during the recent world cup in Italy.
In September, debris from a drone crash hit an 11-month-old girl in a stroller in Pasadena.
The little girl received a quarter-inch cut on her head and a bump on the forehead, police said. She was treated at Pasadena hospital and released.
Using a private drone as a hobby is likely covered by homeowner or renter insurance, but the state agency recommends drone owners confirm their coverage before flying.
What do consumers think about the new regulations?
"When we tell them about the rules, some of them look funny. But they say okay," said Dave Anders, who sells radio-controlled aircraft at Pegasus Hobbies in Montclair.
The new registration isn't repelling buyers, he said.
Owners must register small unmanned aircraft systems weighing anywhere from about nine ounces (0.55 pounds) to 55 pounds.
The FAA registration costs $5, but the $5 fee will be refunded for payments made until Jan 20.
The law requires current drone owners prior to Dec. 21 to register their no later than Feb. 19.
After completing the registration, owners will receive a personal registration number. For those owning more than one drone, each one must be marked with that number. Any method may be used to mark the unmanned aircraft system as long as the number is legible, FAA regulations say.
Registrants may put the number in the battery compartment if it is easily accessible.
"The registration system continues to operate smoothly and we are seeing steady activity on the part of aircraft owners, said Alison Duquette, an FAA spokeswoman.
Numbers are expected to be released in early January, she said.
Where to register your drone
Register your drone at the following Website: http://ift.tt/1lIleSr
Registration is $5 but will be refunded if completed before Feb. 19.
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