Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; Clearance of Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration System
Published Date: 1/29/2026
Notice
Summary
The FAA wants to keep collecting basic info to register small drones, making sure every drone pilot is accountable and easy to find if needed. This renewal won’t add new costs or big changes but keeps the system running smoothly. If you fly a small drone, you can update or cancel your registration, and the FAA wants your thoughts by March 2, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Small drone registration required
You must register a small unmanned aircraft before operating it. The notice cites 49 U.S.C. 44101 and 14 CFR part 48 and says registration is required prior to operation; registration produces a certificate of registration and lets the FAA and law enforcement identify an aircraft's owner or operator.
Time burden to register and de-register
Registering a small unmanned aircraft takes about 5 minutes and de-registering takes about 3 minutes. In CY2024 there were 235,166 registrants and 228,911 de-registrants, with estimated annual burden of approximately 19,597 hours to register and 11,445 hours to de-register.
Renewal keeps system and no new costs
The FAA intends to renew OMB approval for the Small Unmanned Aircraft Registration System and states the renewal will not add new costs or big changes and will keep the system running. The agency is requesting public comments by March 2, 2026.
Registration does not authorize flight
Registration alone does not authorize you to operate a small unmanned aircraft. Operators still must follow the limited recreational operations exception (49 U.S.C. 44809), part 107, part 91, applicable waivers or exemptions, or other required authorizations.
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