URGENT MESSAGE: you could be subject to civil and criminal penalties !

As a service to ALL of my ActiveRain friends and colleagues, I am putting out a blog informing everyone of this new government rule.   However, it doesn't just pertain to ActiveRain users but to everyone.   As Christmas approaches, this new rule may apply to many people that weren't affected previously.

The rule comes down from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and involves drones.   I'm not referring to the weapons of war but rather the hobbyist's toy or the Realtor's tool.   The new rule applies to all drones weighing under 55 pounds which would include most of these.

Do you have a small drone or "Unmanned Aircraft System" (UAS) as the government describes them ?   Does your child have a "toy" that will fall under this classification ?   Does a member of the family use a flying platform of this nature to shoot video for work, school or play ?

The government has decided these devices need to be tracked for safety reasons.   We have heard in the news about drones flying close to the flight paths of commercial airliners approaching airports.   We have heard of drones flying over private property and infringing on the owner's rights.

Effective on December 21st, owners of these UAS devices are REQUIRED to register them with the FAA.   The web site describing this requirement is:  http://www.faa.gov/uas/registration .   The site includes an FAQ section as well as a place to register beginning on that day.   The fee is $5.00 and will be refunded to those who register in the first 30 days before January 20, 2016.

Many Realtors, Appraisers and Surveyors use these UAS devices in their day to day functions, especially when dealing with larger pieces of property.   Many people buy UAS devices as hobbyists and fly them for enjoyment much like a remote controlled airplane.   Some folks may have bought them for someone as a Christmas gift this holiday season unaware of the new law.

Regardless of the purpose of the usage or who actually bought it, just like your motor vehicle has to be licensed; your UAS must now be registered.   As the old saying goes, "Ignorance is no excuse for violating the Federal law".   Don't ignore this because it can come back to bite you in the wallet !

As the air space over your head and mine gets more and more crowded, the chance for accidents and all out disaster increases.   If a UAS is involved in an incident and it is not registered; it could be costly !   Please; if you have one of these or plan to get one, take note of this . . . . . . . 

 

URGENT MESSAGE: you could be subject to

civil and criminal penalties !

 

*****

 

Deanna Early is the # 1 ranked Mortgage Loan Originator in Franklin County, Virginia as scored by the ActiveRain real estate site.   She is a Nationally Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator located near Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia.   She does both purchase and refinance loans throughout the state of Virginia.   She is a residential loan originator for American National Bank and Trust.   She provides home mortgage loans, construction loans and lot loans as well as second or vacation home loans and investor financing.

Please visit her website at   www.DeannaEarly.com   and learn more in the Virginia Mortgage Blog. 

You can contact her for your financing needs at (540) 721-2349 or by email at  "earlyd@amnb.com"

The views expressed in this post are mine only and do not necessarily reflect the views of American National Bank and Trust Company.   Any scenarios presented are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to refer to or represent any actual or specific clients, negotiations or financial transactions.