You're going to have to register that drone you're getting for Christmas
If you're one of the 400,000 predicted soon-to-be drone owners this holiday season, know that starting Dec. 21, you're going to have to register your aircraft with the government, the Federal Aviation Administration announced Monday.
Anyone 13 or older with a drone between 0.5 pounds and 55 pounds is going to have to fork over $5 to register, unless you get to it within 30 days of Dec. 21, and then you can keep that bill. But don't think your 8-year-old drone enthusiast isn't getting off easy — the FAA asks parents to register on behalf of small children.
The rules have been in the works for a while, but FAA just set the date. Those who get their drones before Dec. 21 will have until Feb. 19 to register and ID their aircraft, while any new owners (looking at you, Christmas recipients) must take care of registration before any outdoor flights. No word yet if the regulations apply to Santa Claus, who probably traded in his reindeer for delivery drones this year.
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Julie Kliegman is a freelance writer based in New York. Her work has appeared in BuzzFeed, Vox, Mental Floss, Paste, the Tampa Bay Times and PolitiFact. Her cats can do somersaults.
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