The Federal Aviation Administration will impose regulatory or criminal sanctions against operators of small unmanned aerial systems that are not registered with the agency, The Hill newspaper reported Monday.
Keith Laing writes FAA’s mandatory online registration for civilian drones that weigh less than 55 pounds ended Friday.
The agency has recorded 368,472 registrants and said unregistered drone users could face a civil penalty of up to $27,500, up to three years in prison or a criminal fine of up to $250,000.
“Besides being required by law, registration provides an excellent opportunity to educate yourself if you are new to aviation, and it will help you become part of the safety culture that has been the hallmark of traditional aviation for more than a century,” noted FAA Administrator Michael Huerta.
FAA set a three-year validity period for each registered UAS.