TRAVERSE CITY – You don’t need to be a drone attorney or sUAS specialist to register your recreational drone. These links and the “How To Register”  video below will show you the way.

If you are a commercial drone operator, you will want to visit our Section 333 Exemption page for more information.

Who must register a drone with the FAA as a sUAS?

The owner must be:

  1. 13 years of age or older. (If the owner is less than 13 years of age, a person 13 years of age or older must register the small unmanned aircraft.)
  2. A U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
  3. If you received a drone for Christmas and want to fly for fun, you need to register before you operate your drone outdoors.

Which drones do I have to register with the FAA?

Owners must register their UAS online if it meets the following guidelines:

  1. Weighs more than 0.55 lbs. (250 g) and less than 55 lbs. (25 kg).
  2. Unmanned Aircraft weighing more than 55 lbs. cannot use this registration process and must register using the Aircraft Registry process for N Numbers.

Drone owners must register their drone as a commercial operator under a different process if:

  1. Your aircraft is used for commercial purposes (defined broadly by the FAA)
  2. Your aircraft is used for other than hobby and recreation.
  3. Your aircraft is greater than 55 lbs.
  4. You intend to operate your aircraft outside of the United States.

Watch this ‘how to’ video from drone and sUAS attorney Enrico Schaefer which will walk you through the FAA’s drone registration process.