I purchased a used drone. Do I must register my drone once more?

Because the Drone Lady, I’m at all times getting questions from new pilots! This one solutions whether or not I must register my drone once more if I’ve purchased it from a reseller.  To assist me reply this one, I’ve enlisted the assistance of Patrick Sherman. Like me, he’s a long-time drone fanatic who has risen to turn into a professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College specializing in, you guessed it, drones! 

One reader wrote in to say: Hi there, I bought a like-new DJI Phantom 4 Professional V2, the vendor had the drone activated with DJI and FAA registered. The drone has the FAA Registered label. The vendor made no effort to un-register the drone or take away his identify, or to wipe the SD card. Ought to I ask the vendor to un-register the drone with the FAA? Or simply register the drone myself with the FAA?

I requested the vendor and he desires me to supply the drone serial quantity and FAA register quantity. I don’t belief the vendor a lot now after sale stuff, however ought to I exploit his assist or now fear a lot about it? Thanks for any assist with this matter.

Patrick Sherman, who can be the writer of the guide “Getting Began with Drones and Mannequin Airplanes” is aware of a factor or two about launching a drone enterprise. Provided that, I requested him to assist me reply this query

Right here was his response (and if you’d like extra of his insights, seize a replica of his guide at the moment!):

You’ve truly obtained a few completely different points you could type out with the unique proprietor of the plane. Let’s look first on the query of FAA registration, earlier than diving into your questions round wiping the SD card.

Do I must register my drone once more if I purchased it in used situation from a reseller?

Based on the FAA, when a drone leaves your possession – both as a result of it’s misplaced, offered, or retired from service – you’re required to un-register it on the FAA DroneZone web site. And, certainly, it’s within the former proprietor’s finest curiosity to take action. Right here’s why:

Let’s say you’re the brand new proprietor and also you lose management of the plane and ship it careening into the native highschool marching band. Folks get damage and devices are broken. When the FAA investigates, the very first thing they’ll take a look at is the registration quantity on the plane – after which they’ll knock on the door of the particular person hooked up to that registration quantity, and so they probably aren’t going to be in a forgiving temper.

So, the one who offered you this plane must be anxious to un-register it from their FAA account. In any other case, they lack a basic understanding of the idea of authorized legal responsibility.

As soon as the plane is within the clear, you may register it like a brand new plane underneath your personal account. 

Think about your DJI account

One thing else you could fear about is that if the plane is registered to you within the DJI database. Clearly, this doesn’t have any specific authorized penalties related to it. Nonetheless, if the plane ever requires service, if you could unlock airspace or one thing else alongside these traces, you’ll have to be the registered proprietor with the corporate that constructed the factor. So, discover out the standing of that, as nicely.

Associated learn: How do I promote my used drone?

What do I do with an SD card on a drone I purchased in used situation?

Lastly, as regards the SD card – format it. Until there’s some actually attractive imagery on it. Then, it could be well mannered to contact the vendor and ensure they’ve a replica earlier than it vanishes into digital limbo without end.

Be nicely!

-Patrick Sherman

Are you beginning out as a distant pilot? Do you could have different questions you’d like Patrick to reply? The probabilities are that he already has answered it! Take a look at his new guide, “Getting Began with Drones and Mannequin Airplanes,” printed by Aviation Provides & Lecturers – the main writer of aviation-related books in the US. Copies can be found on Amazon!

If in case you have a query for Drone Lady, contact her right here.

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