Indy Airport Offers Guidance on Drone Registration, Requirements

INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 25, 2016) – Consumers purchasing drones during this holiday season will want to be fully aware of federal laws that regulate the registration and flight of unmanned aircraft systems, say Indianapolis Airport Authority officials.

“The FAA anticipates one million drones will be sold in the 2016 holiday season,” said Mike Medvescek, senior director of operations and public safety with the IAA. “Anyone caught not compliant in registering could face some harsh consequences from the federal government; so we want to help get the word out – our way of helping to contribute to a happy holiday and safety year-round.”

Whether flying near an airport, a rural field or in a subdivision, all unmanned aircraft systems weighing more than 250 grams at takeoff must be registered with the Federal Aviation Administration. FAA officials say unmanned aircraft systems—which includes drones—pose new security and privacy challenges and must be traceable in the event of an incident. FAA officials say registration can also help assist with the return of a drone, if lost.

Congress has defined "aircraft" to include unmanned aircraft systems, regardless of whether they are operated by modelers or hobbyists. An unmanned aircraft system is further defined to include the communication links and components that control small unmanned aircraft, in addition to all of the other elements needed to safely operate the drone.

Paper airplanes, toy balloons, Frisbees, and similar items are not defined as an unmanned aircraft systems because they are not connected to a control system. Toys weighing under the 250 gram threshold are also exempt, per the FAA website.

The law allows for civil penalties up to $27,500 per individual, and $250,000 and potential jail time for criminal actions related to failure to comply with federal laws governing unmanned aircraft systems.

To operate an unmanned aircraft system within five miles of any IAA-owned airport (Indianapolis International Airport, Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport, Indianapolis Regional Airport and Metropolitan Airport), all operators must complete an operation request form. For operation within five miles of the Indy airport, local air traffic control must be contacted.

“To date, the Indianapolis airport has not had an incident with drone conflict,” said Medvescek. “We want to keep it that way. Educating people about responsible drone use and registration can help to improve safety as we see more unmanned aircraft systems in the hands of residents and businesses.”

To learn more about registering and flying an unmanned aircraft system, visit federaldroneregistration.com