SALEM (WSLS 10) - The FAA announced new regulations for drone use. Now, holiday shoppers looking to buy drones may soon have to register them.
This motion stems from the popularity of these items, because they've caused potential safety risks for pilots in the sky. In fact, pilot sightings of drones have doubled since last year.
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"Now, since they'll fly themselves it seems like everybody's a pilot and that's not the case," said Josh May.
Drone enthusiast, Josh May said hobbyist not respecting aviation laws have forced the FAA to impose tighter drone use regulations.
"When they go out and abuse it...they buy something off the shelf and then go fly it in front of 'god forbid' civilian traffic or even a commercial airliner," said May.
It's a change, May like others welcome. Drones big and small line the walls of Ronnie Black's store. Ranging anywhere from $30 to well over a grand, Black said since last year his drone sales have doubled.
"It's a big business," said Black, owner of Cross Roads Hobbies in Salem. "People are building their own drones...ordering just the parts only. You know, they're racing them, there are all kinds of things you can do with them. They're almost unlimited."
Black said this is the hottest Christmas item on the market. It's estimated that more than 750,000 of these devices will add to sky traffic after the holiday season.
The FAA said registering will increase the pressure on drone operators to fly responsibly.
"These are not toys, they can take fingers off and do much worse damage," said May.
The FAA has not yet announced how the registration process will work. However, the FAA and Department of Transportation are establishing a task force to design a system of which drones should register versus which could be exempt.