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Hobbyists' path to drone flying gets easier as court rebuffs FAA

The governments authority to oversee burgeoning recreational drone use was dealt a setback when a federal appeals court barred the FAA from forcing hobbyists to register millions of unmanned aircraft.

By Andrew Harris, Alan Levin | Updated on May 19, 2017
The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington left intact FAA guidance on restrictions over where recreational drones may fly. (Photo: Thinkstock)

(Bloomberg) – The government’s authority to oversee burgeoning recreational drone use was dealt a setback when a federal appeals court barred the Federal Aviation Administration from forcing hobbyists to register some of the millions of unmanned aircraft taking flight.

While Friday’s decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington left intact FAA guidance on restrictions over where recreational drones may fly, the ruling undercuts one of the agency’s primary means of ensuring that unmanned aircraft are operated safely. About 745,000 hobbyists have signed up since the FAA regulation was enacted in 2015. The agency estimates that 2.3 million drones will be sold this year for recreational use, plus 2.5 million for commercial operations.

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