Feds open drone registry

Drone hobbyists can now register their devices with the federal government.

The Federal Aviation Administration launched a website Monday where owners can register the unmanned craft, in accordance with new registration requirements unveiled last week.

{mosads}Under the rules, owners have until mid-February to register. The process includes paying a $5 fee and requires owners to give their names, addresses and emails to the agency. The online registration applies to drones that weigh between half-a-pound and 55 pounds and aren’t being used for commercial purposes.

The FAA has waived the $5 fee for the first 30 days the registration requirement is in place — though drone enthusiasts who have already been operating their devices have until Feb. 19, 2016, to provide their information to the government.

Owners will have to mark their aircraft with an identifying number that they will receive as part of the registration process, something authorities hope will increase accountability for pilots.

Concerns have emerged over the rapid rise in people piloting drones for fun or as a hobby. Firefighters have, on several occasions, complained that they were not able to combat a wildfire from the sky because a drone made it unsafe for them to operate in the air.

Some advocates for drone enthusiasts have argued that the registration requirements place an unfair burden on users and that the fee to register could make it harder for people to comply.

The issue is likely to only become more pressing, as companies like Amazon move forward with plans to deliver packages by drone.