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A final version
of the panel's recommendations was expected to receive approval
from 25 task force members on Friday. It would signal broad
agreement among stakeholders, including drone makers, pilots,
hobbyists and regulators, on a free and user-friendly
registration process for recreational users of unmanned aerial
systems, or UAS.
Registration is one of several steps the FAA and other
government agencies are considering to address a disturbing rise
in reckless drone use this year, including near-misses with
commercial airliners near airports.
Officials are concerned that safety and security risks could
rise in coming years as drone sales continue to soar, with more
than 1 million drones expected to be sold in the United States
this year.
The task force report was not expected to be released to the
public until next week, according to people familiar with the
matter. But they said the recommendations would require drone
operators to register on a website or via a phone app, if they
own UAS weighing as little as 8.8 ounces (250 grams), and attach
their registration number to their drones.
"On Saturday, the task force will deliver its report to the
Federal Aviation Administration," FAA Administrator Michael
Huerta said in a blog posted to a federal website on Friday.
"We will consider their recommendations and the public comments
as we develop an interim final rule on registration, which will
likely be released next month and go into effect shortly
thereafter."
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, who announced the
registration initiative last month, had charged the task force
with completing its work by Friday.
Two sources said the drone registry could ultimately provide an
alternative to the more laborious, paper-based process for
registering manned aircraft for both recreational and commercial
drone users.
Commercial operators are currently required to register their
drones through the manned aircraft process on a case-by-case
basis. Registration of commercial drones will be addressed in
final FAA regulations expected early next year.
(Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by W Simon and Dan Grebler)
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