Editors note: The FAA have now reversed this decision and drone registration is now required once again in the United States. Refer to FAA website for instructions.
How To Delete and Get a Refund for Your FAA sUAS Registration
By Laurie Rubin
It was just over a year and a half ago that owners of a small UAS were required to register their aircraft. Even though some of us got in early during the grace period, and didn’t have to pay the $5.00 to register, we still had to make sure we had our ID information marked on our aircraft. It was the beginning of what felt like more requirements and regulations were coming at us from all sides!
Who would have thought that this ‘requirement’ would be overturned? But don’t forget that not too long ago, we had to get a private pilot’s license in order to sell our aerial prints commercially. Now that requirement has changed so that we can get our Part 107 which is a lot easier and much less expensive.
Since the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overruled this requirement, you can opt not to register or have your current registration removed as long as you are using your drone strictly for hobby or recreational use and you are following the rules under section 336.
For more information on Registration Deletion on the FAA website, read this information:
https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/registration_deletion/
To have your registration record removed and to request a refund, fill out this form:
Note: The FAA encourages registration and they are working on a final rule. Read the FAA information carefully before you make the decision to get a refund and remove your registration.
Laurie Rubin is an international award-winning photographer specializing in wildlife, nature and aerial photography. She enjoys flying and capturing images from the air with her Phantom Quadcopters and is a DJI evangelist and a AMA member (Academy of Model Aeronautics). She also has a Remote Pilot Certification (Part 107) and PPA Certified Drone Photographer certification. www.imagesbylaurie.com