Flying a Drone: What You Need to Know
You just bought your first drone, and you're charging the battery getting ready for a test flight. But before you take it outside, you need to be aware of the rules and regulations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put in place for flying drones in the United States. Jim Fisher , writing in PCMag discusses what you should know before you take to the air for the first time. Mandatory drone registration for recreational pilots was once a requirement. There was a court challenge and then it wasn't. Now, after another round of legal proceedings, recreational pilots in the US are required to spend $5 to register with the FAA before flying outdoors. You'll be assigned an FAA identification number. After February 23rd 2019, this number will need to be placed on the exterior of the drone. But not every drone needs to be registered. If it's a tiny toy that weighs less than 8.8 ounces (250g), you won't have go through the registration process. Als