Deadline to register your drone with the FAA approaching: "That will tell you who's got them"

MILWAUKEE -- If you got a drone for Christmas or bought one for someone, there is more involved with this gift than simply opening the box and sending the drone into the air. The Federal Aviation Administration now requires owners of small unmanned aircraft systems to register those aircraft before their first flight.

Drones have surged in popularity -- but RC pilot Tom Kunath prefers his much quieter aircraft.

"It`s very lightweight. It`s a very quiet, very small motor," Kunath said.

Tom Kunath

Kunath was volunteering Sunday, January 3rd at the 38th annual R/C Auction and Swap Meet at the Waukesha Expo Center. He has been flying small aircraft since he was a boy.

"It gets you involved in a lot of technologies with the multi-rudder and these indoor planes, building and flying them," Kunath said.

Kunath's son, just 16 years old, has picked up his dad's hobby.

Tim Kunath

"It`s just fun. It`s a hobby. You can do whatever you want with it. You can get an airplane and fly it around," Tim Kunath said.

Tim Kunath too flies a multi-rudder craft, more commonly known as a drone.

It is these aircraft that many are concerned about.

"Behavior is divided into two camps -- One is good behavior, and the other is evil behavior -- and terrorists can use these as well if they had malcontent in mind, and therefor there`s an issue here. Why are you flying this?" Dr. Vernon Grose, former NTSB official said.

Because of the concerns, FAA officials announced new rules for unmanned aircraft, or UAS. All UAS owners must register their aircraft by February 19, 2016.

"That will tell you who`s got them of course. Drones are out there kind of free, and that's a problem," Grose said.

If you fail to register your aircraft, fines and penalties range from $2,700 up to $250,000.

CLICK HERE to access the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Registration.

CLICK HERE for frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the FAA's drone registry.