SunvisorFlyer,

I have recently learned that to help identify drones the FAA requires owners to register their aircraft in a federal database BEFORE they fly it OUTDOORS (emphasis mine)-so, apparently strictly INDOOR flight registration of a drone as in a commercial business plant may NOT be required. However, OSHA will no doubt have something to address re indoor commercial drone flight activity, sooner or later.

I will pass on substantially more recent drone published info synopsis: People who do not register their (outdoor) drones could face a civil penalty of up to $27,500 or criminal penalties up to $250,000 and three years in prison for non-compliance.

The US Forest Service says drones interfered with firefighting equipment about 25 times last year, often forcing fire-suppression aircraft to be diverted from fast-moving forest fires.

A small drone meeting weight specification limit or less could disable a jet flying hundreds of miles per hour.

Small drones could carry explosives, chemical agents or possible-hazardous materials over sensitive facilities. Small drones don't carry transponders to signal their position. Largely made of plastic and small, they do not present a radar target for detection.

Twenty-six states have thus far moved to limit police use of drones, bar drone surveillance over private property, or other restrictions. California law addressed drone action over celebrity homes, etc. making it illegal to photograph or record footage of a person or property without permission. Many municipalities have imposed their own drone operation restrictions.

An unintended consequence is the uprising of a market of drone-countermeasures-including devices to disable drones by jamming their signals in mid-flight. DroneShield, based in Virginia, now offers sensors that it claims can detect unique audio signatures of a drone in flight, and alert drones near stadiums, prisons, or other restricted property. They have already installed about 250 acoustic detection systems thus far. They expect the technology to be used in the next Boston Marathon on 18 April, notifying police if drones fly too near runners or spectators.

There is much more on the subject, including numerous in-flight encounter reports by aircraft pilots of drones above permitted altitude and under required separation, but this is enough for one post.