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> Failure to register can result in a hefty penalty, including civil fines of up to $27,500 and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and three years in prison.

> Failure to register can result in a hefty penalty, including civil fines of up to $27,500 and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and three years in prison. > "The goal is not to be punitive but to get people into compliance," FAA Deputy Administrator Michael Whitaker said. These two sentences don't seem to mesh for me. Even if they don't plan to actually prosecute any violators (yet), just the threat of that is ridiculous. I guess it's just another tool in the arsenal of prosecutors if they decide they don't like you. Edit: The second quote was removed from the article.

omni 11y ago
I think the idea is that you can achieve compliance through fear of punitive action without ever actually having to punish anyone (in an ideal world). Before law: "I'll just fly my drone around this airport, it's not like I'll get caught or anything." After law: "Crap, now if anything happens this is gonna get traced right back to me and my life is gonna be ruined, maybe I shouldn't fly around this airport like a moron."
- lyondhill 11y ago
  That line of reasoning seems to be in line with the ATF's firearm laws. I am not sure it solves the problem, if someone is planning to commit a crime they will use a unregistered drone just like gun crimes.
  - omni 11y ago
    The target isn't people intentionally trying to down planes with drones, it's people ignorantly flying in restricted airspace without actually meaning to do any harm to anyone.
- bjt2n3904 11y ago
  After law: "Crap, now if anything happens this is gonna get traced right back to me and my life is gonna be ruined, maybe I shouldn't <register my drone> like a moron." People willing to break one aspect of the law are generally willing to break other parts as well.
  - omni 11y ago
    Sure, but this means you now can't fly in a park or any public space without the risk of a police officer coming by and asking to see your registration. I'm assuming police would be empowered to do that?
    - bjt2n3904 11y ago
      If I'm in a park or public space where it's legal to fly and I'm not a hazard to the public, the police shouldn't come over and ask to inspect my paperwork. The government should not assume I'm breaking the law by default. If I'm at an airport where it's not legal to fly, it doesn't matter if I have a registration or not, I'm already breaking the law.
    - bigiain 11y ago
      I must have missed the bit in the article where they explained how all local cops are going to receive training in "drone inspection" and access to an up-to-date database of registration numbers.
      - omni 11y ago
        > drone owners will receive an FAA identification number that they must display on aircraft How many hours of training do you think it'll take for them to look for and read a sticker? > access to an up-to-date database of registration numbers. Cops probably have smartphones, right? http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Serial_Inquiry.aspx http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Serial_Inquiry.aspx
arbitrage 11y ago
Seems to be sort of like the FCC. They generally don't fine you if you're misbehaving, they'll send out warnings first. If you're an absolute massive jerk, on the other hand ... yeah, you're not going to be on anyone's good side, and you can end up pulling some really massive fines.
- cooper12 11y ago
  Does the FAA have a track record of doing the same? You have to consider that most people flying these will be enthusiasts doing it for a hobby and they might not be aware of all the regulations or have the resources to handle such a charge. Having huge default punishments like this has a potential for abuse: Say you record bad cop activity and they find you didn't register, bam they have huge leverage on you. This works out disproportionately for the FAA rather than the average joe who might be bothered by creeps or people being reckless. The only way I can see the FAA try to offset this is if they dutifully educate people about the registration requirement. Even then I still don't see a reason for such a harsh punishment.
mikeash 11y ago
The threat is the whole point. It's perfectly reasonable to carry a big stick hoping that its mere presence will mean you never have to use it.

omni 11y ago

I think the idea is that you can achieve compliance through fear of punitive action without ever actually having to punish anyone (in an ideal world). Before law: "I'll just fly my drone around this airport, it's not like I'll get caught or anything." After law: "Crap, now if anything happens this is gonna get traced right back to me and my life is gonna be ruined, maybe I shouldn't fly around this airport like a moron."

lyondhill 11y ago
That line of reasoning seems to be in line with the ATF's firearm laws. I am not sure it solves the problem, if someone is planning to commit a crime they will use a unregistered drone just like gun crimes.
- omni 11y ago
  The target isn't people intentionally trying to down planes with drones, it's people ignorantly flying in restricted airspace without actually meaning to do any harm to anyone.
bjt2n3904 11y ago
After law: "Crap, now if anything happens this is gonna get traced right back to me and my life is gonna be ruined, maybe I shouldn't <register my drone> like a moron." People willing to break one aspect of the law are generally willing to break other parts as well.
- omni 11y ago
  Sure, but this means you now can't fly in a park or any public space without the risk of a police officer coming by and asking to see your registration. I'm assuming police would be empowered to do that?
  - bjt2n3904 11y ago
    If I'm in a park or public space where it's legal to fly and I'm not a hazard to the public, the police shouldn't come over and ask to inspect my paperwork. The government should not assume I'm breaking the law by default. If I'm at an airport where it's not legal to fly, it doesn't matter if I have a registration or not, I'm already breaking the law.
  - bigiain 11y ago
    I must have missed the bit in the article where they explained how all local cops are going to receive training in "drone inspection" and access to an up-to-date database of registration numbers.
    - omni 11y ago
      > drone owners will receive an FAA identification number that they must display on aircraft How many hours of training do you think it'll take for them to look for and read a sticker? > access to an up-to-date database of registration numbers. Cops probably have smartphones, right? http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Serial_Inquiry.aspx http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/Serial_Inquiry.aspx

arbitrage 11y ago

Seems to be sort of like the FCC. They generally don't fine you if you're misbehaving, they'll send out warnings first. If you're an absolute massive jerk, on the other hand ... yeah, you're not going to be on anyone's good side, and you can end up pulling some really massive fines.

cooper12 11y ago
Does the FAA have a track record of doing the same? You have to consider that most people flying these will be enthusiasts doing it for a hobby and they might not be aware of all the regulations or have the resources to handle such a charge. Having huge default punishments like this has a potential for abuse: Say you record bad cop activity and they find you didn't register, bam they have huge leverage on you. This works out disproportionately for the FAA rather than the average joe who might be bothered by creeps or people being reckless. The only way I can see the FAA try to offset this is if they dutifully educate people about the registration requirement. Even then I still don't see a reason for such a harsh punishment.

mikeash 11y ago

The threat is the whole point. It's perfectly reasonable to carry a big stick hoping that its mere presence will mean you never have to use it.