I’ve been a photographer for many years now, and it was only natural for me to get into aerial photography when it launched. It has been an exciting few years for the industry, but it is not without its peaks and valleys.

The FAA has made it clear that every drone purchased (with a specific weight of over 0.55 lbs)  must  register.  If you have been flying before December 21, 2015, you have until February 2016 to register. According to the FAA, if you just received a drone, maybe for the Christmas holiday, you cannot fly until you register it first.

This has gotten a lot of people talking and mixed emotions are plentiful. Is this legal? It doesn’t seem so, but the FAA powerhouse is flexing its muscles with the registration anyway. Of course, all of this drone registry is made public, so perhaps that should bring more safety and responsibility to the industry, right? Has something as trivial as a registration helped in other avenues? There are arguments on both sides, but many UAV pilots agree that the FAA has overstepped their boundaries.

Something does need to be done. There are too many what-ifs here, but does that mean something terrible will happen? Take this scenario for example.

I hate to sit on the fence about the stranglehold we as pilots are all in, which is why I have joined the AMA Academy of Model Aeronautics, and AUVSI, Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International. Knowledge of what is going on in the industry is necessary as it evolves, and believe me, that education is very important. I believe this is what the common new pilot lacks. Safety is the utmost importance in this industry. You have to know what it is you are doing, and it can not be treated lightly. Sure, have your fun, but understand what it is that you cant and can do during your flight op.

We live in the GoPro world, and I can understand how someone can get immersed in this world of aerial video, but it is something you must take seriously. Despite popular beliefs, these drones are not toys, and they can really hurt someone if you are not responsible. That seems to be the problem here. We run into more and more individuals who are not so responsible, and accidents can happen.

With all that is going on, it isn’t any wonder really that the FAA and concerned citizens are freaking out. A little education goes a long way, and apparently some people just don’t care to learn, much less want to know. Practically every mobile phone out there now has a built in camera, and so the birth of the new aged photographer is upon us. Same goes with the drones out in the market, and the pilots who fly them. I don’t disagree that there shouldn’t be a licensing of some sort, but things are getting a bit ridiculous with registrations, regulations, and conflicting reports.

Bottom line, if you’re flying to earn a living, or for recreational purposes, just remember to set a positive example. Otherwise, you’ll become an example.