The federal government will announce a new plan requiring anyone buying a drone to register the device with the U.S. Department of Transportation, NBC news has learned.
The government has been concerned about the rise in close calls between unmanned drones and aircraft flying into and out of some of the nation's biggest airports. The plan is expected to be announced Monday.
In July, there was a dangerously close encounter between a drone and a passenger jet with 159 people aboard setting up to land at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.
The unmanned aerial vehicle was just 100 feet away from the passenger jet at an altitude of 1,700 feet; normal safe separation distance is between aircraft is at least 1,000 feet.
Firefighting aircraft trying to attack the fast-moving blaze in the Cajon Pass had to leave the area for around 20 minutes over safety concerns, officials said. The fire swept over a busy freeway and torched 20 vehicles.
Under the plan, the government would work with the drone industry to set up a structure for registering the drones, and the regulations could be in place by Christmas.
Last week, the Federal Aviation Administration proposed a $1.9 million fine against Chicago drone company SkyPan, which was alleged to have flown dozens of unauthorized flights over Chicago and New York since 2012.
The unmanned aerial vehicle was just 100 feet away from the passenger jet at an altitude of 1,700 feet;
That is impressive! I did know they could go more than a few hundred feet high. I thought the communications systems on these were not more than a few hundred feet? Line of sight is what I was told.
I believe at this time its still much to do about nothing. Once febel government gets their nasty fingers on something its ruined beyond repair. All you have to do is look at SS and health care. They messed with health care and now it takes a weeks pay every month and when you do you use it it may still bankrupt a person with copay's just because febel government got involved!
I thought the communications systems on these were not more than a few hundred feet? Line of sight is what I was told.
Can't you see the moon at night?
Line of sight goes a very long ways when you are looking up.
I believe at this time its still much to do about nothing.
I don't. I see this as a VERY big deal that is going to do more than the internet to remove the last traces of privacy we used to enjoy. Your neighbors are going to spy on you,and so is the government.
If I had my way,there would be a federal law passed banning anyone,INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, from possessing a drone or any other form of aircraft that can perform like a drone.
The military would be the obvious exception,but even then the drone use should be restricted to the confines of a military reservation or for deployments to other countries.
If I had my way,there would be a federal law passed banning anyone,INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, from possessing a drone or any other form of aircraft that can perform like a drone.
Drones have a myriad of uses besides spying.
They are useful in searching for lost hikers and/or mountain climbers.
We use one where I work as a traffic/weather cam.
A lot of photographers use them for aerial photos - much easier and cheaper than chartering a plane or chopper.
Their usefulness is only as limited as your imagination.
It surprises me to hear you say "there oughta be a law" simply because sometimes they are misused.
As far as the federal government requiring them to be registered - they can FOAD.
They want these registered for when TSHTF they'll know where they all are.
Yeah, that's right - drones can also be used to ferret out enemy government positions and can also be armed and used as an offensive weapon.
I thought the communications systems on these were not more than a few hundred feet? Line of sight is what I was told.
Can't you see the moon at night?
Most I have seen are a few hundred feet or line of sight. THem things are small. Just like trying to keep an eye on a bird.
You get big enough to have real power and then you get out the range of a normal person price range for a drone.
I guess I know government and they look for an excuse to regulate even if there isn't a reason. Don't let a tragedy go to waste!
If I had my way,there would be a federal law passed banning anyone,INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT ITSELF, from possessing a drone or any other form of aircraft that can perform like a drone.
You know thats not how it works. Government bans it from the citizens and abuses it themselves. Just look at guns, prostitution and drugs. All are banned in some form but government is a wash in the banned objects.
BTW I do see in the future a problem but I hate letting the worst group deal with it.
