Registration now required for small unmanned aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration recently established a new registration requirement for any unmanned aircraft weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds.

The new registration must be completed online and costs $5 per aircraft. The new law requires those who purchased an unmanned aircraft before Dec. 21 to register the aircraft by Feb. 19, 2016. Those who purchased one after Dec. 21 must register before their first flight outdoors.

According to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx, the registration will reinforce the need for safe piloting of unmanned aircrafts as well as make it easy for the FAA to get in touch with owners who aren't following the rules.

"There is no doubt that these are exciting times in aviation. Today's rulemaking is part of our ongoing efforts to continue encouraging innovation in our airspace and across transportation," Foxx said. "From unmanned aircraft to driverless cars, this Department is committed to recognizing the potential of these innovations while we establish the ground rules to ensure their safe integration into our national transportation system."