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 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.