AV News: FAA Update

The FAA is making changes that will affect you. Here’s what you need to know: Starting Monday February 25 th , 2019 all drones must be marked with their FAA-issued registration number on the outside surface of the UAV. In the past, pilots were allowed to mark their drone on the outside or inside of the aircraft. Why the change? Officials say it’s for security reasons. First responders have expressed concerns about explosive devices, saying that if, for example, a drone that has its FAA registration number inside of a battery compartment, first responders could be in danger of triggering an explosion while trying to open the compartment. This is considered an Interim Final Rule, meaning that the rule is taking effect, but there is still time for public comment. The FAA says they issue interim final rules when delaying the new rule would be “impractical, unnecessary or contrary to the public interest.” They say in this case the safety of first responders outweighs any inconvenience it may bring to drone owners. Want to comment on the ruling? Head to www.regulations.gov and search for “RIN 2120-AL32” before March 15   Source: www.regulations.gov