Would Reinstate The Registration Struck Down By A Court Earlier This Year

A defense authorization bill that includes a return to civilian drone registration has been approved by a House/Senate conference committee, and is expected to be passed by both chambers and signed by President Trump.

The language is included in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2018. It would again require the registration of drones weighing more than about half a pound with the federal government.

"Congress finalized legislation that will reverse the earlier court ruling in the John Taylor case and restore the FAA’s UAS registration requirement, including for AMA members," the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) said in a statement emailed to Aero-News.

"We expect this legislation – the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2018 – to go through final passage in the House and Senate, and to the President’s desk, soon. We ask all AMA members to please comply with the registration rule once it is in effect again. We will update you when this happens.

"While we have always said registration makes sense at some level, we have pushed for a more reasonable threshold and argued that if registration is to be implemented, the criteria, threshold and implementation should go through rulemaking.

"We continue to work closely with Congress, the FAA and other stakeholders to determine the best path forward now that UAS registration will be reinstituted. This process will take time but, as always, we are doing everything we can to advocate for our members and protect the model aircraft hobby."

Bloomberg Politics reports that AUVSI president and CEO Brian Wynne also expressed support for the policy, saying a drone registration system "promotes responsibility by all users of the national airspace."

The bill must still be approved by both the House and Senate before going to President Trump's desk. He is expected to sign the bill.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/2810