Author: Annie Potasznik
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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) – They have taken off as one of the hottest Christmas list items this year. The Federal Aviation Administration expects a million drones will be given as holiday gifts. But experts want you to know that a drone isn’t a toy, and you should know the rules before you buy or fly.
According to the FAA, when you fly an unmanned aircraft system, or drone, into the nation’s airspace, you become part of the U.S. aviation system. That’s why employees at HobbyTown Plano try to educate buyers about the FAA’s guidelines.
“Basically common sense,” says Pete Zellmer, owner of HobbyTown Plano. “You cannot be flying it near or over people. You can’t be closer than five miles to an airport, and you can’t fly higher than 400 feet.”
Also, experts say, always make sure the drone is in your line of sight. Texas drafted new drone laws this September, including banning them from flying near facilities such as power plants. But RC specialist and pilot Tom Conte says enforcement ultimately falls on the feds.
“Once it’s up in the air, it’s a federal thing. So a local jurisdiction can’t really regulate it,” he says.
The FAA is now working on new regulations, including a registration system for all but the smallest drones. It’s a sign that the industry that can make anyone a pilot is here to stay.
“Be careful when you’re out there flying these things around, regardless of what the regulations are,” Zellmer says. “We want people to have fun and stay safe.”
Those new FAA regulations should be in place by the middle of next year. For more information about the FAA’s guidelines, go to http://www.faa.gov.
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