FAA will require owners to register their drones

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The FAA expects upwards of 800,000 drones to take flight this holiday season. 

Monday it announced drone owners must now register their crafts.

"It's really all about education and safety. That is the number one focus of the whole campaign," said Caleb McDow.

McDow has been flying drones for a couple years now.   He was one of the first in the Tampa Bay area to be granted a commercial exemption by the FAA.  He uses his drone to help film and sell agricultural property.

"They have to have some kind of accountably some kind of traceability," he said.

The FAA's registration policy says new drone fliers after December 21st have to register their craft online before their first flight. 

Owners prior to that date have to do it before February 19th.  It covers recreational users and includes drone models up to 55 pounds. 

You have to be at least 13 years old to register.

"There are consequences if you don't register.  There are civil penalties fines. Again it would beg the question,
how do they find you in the first place," McDow noted.

And besides that McDow sees another flaw in the plan.

"My honest opinion, I think they missed the boat a little bit, it just went into effect, but the Christmas shopping season has been in full swing for a long time," he said.

For more information, log on to: www.faa.gov/uas/registration