Here's What You Need to Know About Registering Your New Drone

Back in October, Americans learned that we were going to have to register our drones this holiday season, but the details were still up in the air until today. 

On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration made official its proposed regulation, publishing an interim final rule laying out the marking and registration requirements for consumer drones.

If you're a hobbyist in the United States who pilots an unmanned recreational aircraft that weighs half a pound, you're going to need to register it with the federal government online at faa.gov/uas/registration. The FAA says this website will be operational on Dec. 21, the same day the new rule goes into effect. 

The regulation will include the vast majority of the 1.6 million small consumer drones that the FAA estimates will be sold in 2015 -- along with the hundreds of thousands of other drones that people already own.

“Make no mistake: unmanned aircraft enthusiast are aviators, and with that title comes a great deal of responsibility,” said United States Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a prepared statement. “Registration gives us an opportunity to work with these users to operate their unmanned aircraft safely. I’m excited to welcome these new aviators into the culture of safety and responsibility that defines American innovation.”

The new requirements mostly follow the recommendations of the public-private drone task force convened this fall to advise the government on how to implement a drone registry.

Here are some of the highlights from the document the FAA released Monday:

1) If your drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, including payloads, you have to register it before operating it.

2) You'll need to provide your name, home address and an email. 

3) If you owned and operated a drone prior to Dec. 21, you must register on the website no later than Feb. 19, 2016.

4) Registering your drone will cost $5 (departing from the task force recommendations) but the FAA will waive the fee for the first 30 days to encourage as many people as possible to register quickly. After Jan. 20, you'll need to pay.

5) Once you complete the drone registration process, the web app will give you a registration certificate and a proof of ownership with a unique identification number that must be marked on the drone. Your registration will be valid for three years. The FAA provided no timeline on how fast the registration process will take.

6) You only have to register as a drone operator once. You can use the same identification number for all of your drones. 

7) You need to be at least 13 years old to register a drone. 

8) This registration process only applies to drones used for hobbies and recreational purposes. In September, the FAA missed a deadline for proposing regulations for commercial drones. Expect those sometime in 2016.

After this interim final rule is published in the Federal Register, the FAA will be taking comments at Regulations.gov and may choose to tweak some of the details in the future.

Unless the FAA follows a key recommendation of the task force to build the drone registry in a way that distributes the crush of visitors, however, this website could be a huge headache for consumers who want to get into the air on Christmas Day. The report recommended that the agency use an application programming interface instead of creating a online bottleneck for drone registration.

“We expect hundreds of thousands of model unmanned aircraft will be purchased this holiday season,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta, in a statement. “Registration gives us the opportunity to educate these new airspace users before they fly so they know the airspace rules and understand they are accountable to the public for flying responsibly.”

Here's hoping the agency gets it right. The short timelines to do so aren't promising.

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Burning Man Organizers Are Fighting A $3 Million Tax

RENO, Nev. (AP) — Organizers of the Burning Man counter-culture celebration are challenging the enforcement of a Nevada state tax that they say could cost them nearly $3 million.

Burning Man officials said in a letter to the state Department of Taxation on Friday that the festival should be exempt from the recently amended tax on live entertainment, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Saturday.

The 25-year-old annual arts festival attracted about 80,000 participants this year to the Black Rock Desert 100 miles north of Reno.

Burning Man attorney Ray Allen said the 9 percent tax would translate into a tax bill of about $2.8 million. He said the tax is known by some as the "Burning Man tax."

"From our perspective, this is the latest attempt by an outside entity to unfairly tap the resources of Burning Man and its participants," event organizers said in a statement posted on their web site. "Some seem to view Burning Man as the 'golden goose' they can turn to when they want money for other projects."

Burning Man officials said they will not set 2016 ticket prices until they hear back from the taxation department because they could be forced to bump up the cost of entry to the temporary village dubbed "Black Rock City." They urged the department to respond by Jan. 15.

In June, the Legislature approved a revised version of the live entertainment tax, which originally came into law in 2004 as a way for the state to gain revenue from Las Vegas's robust live entertainment industry. The revised version became effective Oct. 1. 

Certain events — including school, sporting, racing and nonprofit events attended by fewer than 7,500 people — remain exempt from the tax. Burning Man and the Electric Daisy Carnival, a music festival held in Las Vegas, were the two largest events newly affected by the change.

Burning Man maintains it should be treated as it has historically during the weeklong celebration that culminates with the burning of a towering, wooden effigy the day before Labor Day.

"Black Rock City is not an arena concert, a sporting event or a Las Vegas show; it's a thriving metropolis with all the trappings of a functioning temporary city, with people camping, cooking meals, visiting neighbors, and exploring the offerings of its citizens," the organization said in its online statement.

"While the Burning Man organization provides the space and basic infrastructure for Black Rock City, we simply don't provide live entertainment as defined by the statute."

Burning Man previously was exempt because it was an outdoor event, said ex-House Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-Las Vegas, who co-sponsored the bill in March. No other newly affected organization, including the Electric Daisy Carnival, had qualms with paying the tax, she said.

As is, the tax brings in about $137 million annually, most of which goes toward the state's general fund. About $150,000 will go toward the Nevada Arts Council in the future.

"It's just a sign of the times. Entertainment has changed," Kirkpatrick said. "There's no way we could have predicted in 2003 that there would be an event like Burning Man. It's disappointing that they take it so personal."

Burning Man previously stated that an increase in ticket prices may be necessary to cover the tax. General admission tickets in 2015 were $390, a $10 increase from 2014.

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It's Time To Quit The Rat Race And Become A Freakin' Viking

Are you beginning to deeply resent your boring job and annoying family? Are you drawn to the call of the open ocean? Do you have absolutely nothing going on for a full two months?

Now you can try your hand at becoming Viking — without the violence and pillaging.

The Draken Harald Hårfagre, a 115-foot longship based out of Norway, has put out a call for volunteer crew members to man the vessel during this year’s voyage from Norway to the U.S., stopping in Iceland, Greenland, and Canada along the way.

 The ship sets sail in May, “trying to recreate the historical route the Vikings explored 1000 years ago” and is modeled after the Gokstad ship — a 9th-century Viking vessel uncovered in the 1800s from a burial mound in Norway.

That means there’s no “underdeck,” so the only protection from the elements is a small tent. This sounds mildly terrifying (and cold) to us, but note that a “follow ship” will be trailing behind the Draken for extra security and storage space, and we assume this means folks from this ship will be there to help out in case anything truly goes awry.

The ship also has a hidden engine that the crew has deployed in the past when needed, as well as a modern toilet and stove, which are two major benefits if you ask us.

Anyway, if you think Vikingdom sounds right for you, you can apply here until the end of February, or until the jobs are full. If that doesn’t work out, there’s always becoming an astronaut.

H/T: Wave Train

Contact the author at Hilary.Hanson@huffingtonpost.com

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Watch This Qatar Airways Flight Abort Takeoff At The Last Second

Things got a little bumpy on what was supposed to be a celebratory Qatar Airways flight last week. 

To debut its swanky Airbus A350 jet in the United States, Qatar Airways invited special guests and employees aboard an inaugural flight from New York City's JFK to Doha. Like other invitees, The Points Guy editor Zach Honig boarded the glitzy cabin and settled into his seat. But just seconds before takeoff, the plane lurched to a sudden halt, leaving passengers visibly alarmed. 

Honig caught the moment on video:

But on his blog, Honig said the airline's COO told passengers the plane automatically stopped itself because its computer system deemed the runway too short (Qatar Airways has not yet responded to an inquiry from HuffPost). Rejected takeoffs like these aren't unheard of: They typically occur due to engine failure, direction from air traffic control or system warnings, and they happen about once in every 3,000 flights, Boeing estimates. 

"The passengers around me were clearly startled, as was I," Honig told HuffPost. "It seemed like we would have an opportunity to deplane, but the pilots (or airline executives on board, more likely) decided that everybody would be staying on."

The plane made a successful takeoff nearly two hours later and flew safely to its destination. 

Qatar Airways' Airbus A350 currently flies in Europe and is expected to start regular U.S. flights in January 2016. The airline was named best in the world this year by Skytrax for its "award-winning customer service and amazing seat-back entertainment systems." 

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State Street Ballet Has The Perfect Way To Spend A 5-Hour Layover

Have five hours to kill in the airport? You could check out the selection of neck pillows in the magazine shop. Or, if you have some mad ballet skills, you could use that time to make the best airport layover video ever. 

Members of the State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, California, used the moving walkways at Denver International Airport to put on an unforgettable show last week.

"This is what happens when State Street Ballet has a 5-hour layover haha," dancer Nick Topet wrote on Facebook.

The group was in town for a performance of "The Nutcracker." 

Check it out in the clip above. 

 

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State Street Ballet Has The Perfect Way To Spend A 5-Hour Layover

Have five hours to kill in the airport? You could check out the selection of neck pillows in the magazine shop. Or, if you have some mad ballet skills, you could use that time to make the best airport layover video ever. 

Members of the State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, California, used the moving walkways at Denver International Airport to put on an unforgettable show last week.

"This is what happens when State Street Ballet has a 5-hour layover haha," dancer Nick Topet wrote on Facebook.

The group was in town for a performance of "The Nutcracker." 

Check it out in the clip above. 

 

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A Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Miami Street Art

Miami's art scene is vibrant, and not just during Art Basel Miami Beach, the annual international art fair. The south Florida city's design district is a year-round draw for lovers of fine art and high design. And the artsy enclave of Wynwood has become a popular venue for street art, attracting both well-known and emerging graffiti artists.
Raucously colorful and elaborate, the murals covering the facades of Wynwood are worth a visit. To share the stories behind the art, tour companies like Wynwood Art Walk offer guided treks through the area. For an introduction to the neighborhood, check out the stops on this self-guided walking tour, with background on the works by Wynwood Art Walk guide Anna Vamos.







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A Self-Guided Walking Tour Of Miami Street Art

Miami's art scene is vibrant, and not just during Art Basel Miami Beach, the annual international art fair. The south Florida city's design district is a year-round draw for lovers of fine art and high design. And the artsy enclave of Wynwood has become a popular venue for street art, attracting both well-known and emerging graffiti artists.

Raucously colorful and elaborate, the murals covering the facades of Wynwood are worth a visit. To share the stories behind the art, tour companies like Wynwood Art Walk offer guided treks through the area. For an introduction to the neighborhood, check out the stops on this self-guided walking tour, with background on the works by Wynwood Art Walk guide Anna Vamos.








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Fire Crews Spray Wrong Plane With Foam At Chinese Airport

BEIJING (AP) — When crew members of a passenger plane reported sparks coming from an engine while taxiing at an airport in southern China, eight fire trucks responded within minutes. Then they covered the wrong plane with white foam.

The mistake at the Fuzhou city airport Thursday was quickly amended and the firefighters turned their attention to the correct plane, but the other one -- with passengers aboard -- was delayed 10 hours and the entire incident delayed 30 flights, the airport said in a statement.

The Air China flight had reported the problems in a right-side engine of a Boeing 737-800 for a flight headed to Beijing. By the time firefighters arrived four minutes later, engines were switched off. However, a Fuzhou Airlines plane of the same make had exhaust fumes coming from its tail.

The firefighters sprayed the Fuzhou Airlines plane with foam until the airport's control center alerted them to the mistake, and then they sprayed the right plane, the airport said.

Fuzhou Airlines said its plane was covered with white foam and had to be towed away to check its engines. It took off about 10 hours later. The airport apologized for the inconvenience.

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The Ultimate Winter Getaways In Italy

Rediscover the mountains of times past, off the beaten path. Between wooden chalets where fireplaces are always lit, cross-country trails that take you through the forest, and outings with dog sleds, hearing only the sound of the wind, here are the best places for those who are looking for a unique winter vacation, from Alto Adige to Abruzzo.

ALTO ADIGE LAS VEGAS LODGE, SAN CASSIANO (BZ)

Opening the window early in the morning and seeing the Piz Sorega landscape is an experience that is worth the trip alone, especially if you are one of the few who would stay at an altitude of over 6,000 feet above sea level. That is where the Las Vegas Lodge is located, a mountain lodge facing the ski slopes that, when everything closes, is totally isolated; it is a place for those who want to truly enjoy only the purest essence of the mountain (lasvegasonline. it). Time passes between contemplating the setting and taking exciting sled rides along the slopes of the four reserved trails. One of these trails, Trù Liösa Foram, runs nearly 2.2 miles and with a height difference of 01,640 feet; it is considered to be one of the most beautiful slopes in Alta Badia (altabadia.org). Guided snow shoe tours along white stretches of snow are organized for guests of the lodge. Some excursions take place when there is a full moon, to walk through snow illuminated solely by moonlight.

VALLE D’AOSTA AUBERGE DE LA MAISON,ENTRÈVES (AO)

Experience the great beauty of nature in the Entrèves village (courmayeurmontblanc.it). The town has maintained its genuine alpine appeal, with mountain lodges and snowy forests that you can discover with snowshoes or cross-country skis, exploring trails that cross through the Val Ferret. The Auberge de la Maison is the best starting point. It is a large mountain house, with thirty rooms, one different from the next, and a terrace facing Mont Blanc, where breakfast is served (aubergemaison.it).

Guests can be sure there will be a daily agenda of guided excursions through the snow. Those who do not ski can take walks in the snow on specially reserved trails that lead to the woods, just a few miles from Courmayeur. Upon return, you can enjoy the warm embrace of the spa and a candlelight dinner at the Aubergine restaurant.

TRENTINO CHALET FOGAJARD, MADONNA DI CAMPIGLIO (TN)

At the foot of the Dolomites in Brenta, the largest ski area in Trentino, you can have a “Big North” adventure. It involves a dog sled pulled by a pack of Huskies, starting in the Nambino plains, the snowy woods that look like they came straight out of a fairy tale, not far from Madonna di Campiglio. The excursion ends at Malga Darè, a winter farmhouse in the heart of the Adamello Brenta Nature Park, where you can relax with a slice of freshly baked warm apple strudel (campigliodolomiti. it). Chalet Fogajard is also far from the slopes. It is a beautiful larch wood residence, constructed according to green building standards, completely covered in local stone (chaletfogajard.it). To get there, you must leave your car in a garage in Madonna di Campiglio and then take private transfers, as it is located in a car-free zone – you can only get there on skis. Guests are pampered with Trentino’s wonderful cuisine, prepared with only local ingredients and accompanied by the best local wines, like Teroldego, Marzemino and Nosiola.

ABRUZZO RELAIS DUCALE SPA & POOL, PESCOCOSTANZO (AQ)

In Pescocostanzo, the mountains look like the backdrop of a nativity scene. It is a small village in Abruzzo, which is part of the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy Club, with cobblestone streets and seventeenth-century noble buildings and artisanal workshops where they still make lace and filigree. The Relais Ducale Spa & Pool is located in the historic center. It is a residence, decorated with great taste, where nothing is left to chance. The fireplace warms the environment and the library offers a great selection of books to enjoy while sitting in comfy easy chairs and mulling over a glass of meditation wine. And then there is the spa, practically a private lounge, with a heated pool, hydro- massage, Turkish bath, sauna and even a gym for those who want to train for the cross-country skiing trails. The quietest ones are at the nearby Bosco di Sant’Antonio Natural Reserve, in the Majella National Park. Here and with a guide, you can follow animal tracks in the fresh snow (parcomajella.it).

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The Mentawai Islands Have Got To Be The Most Beautiful Place On Earth

To find the ultimate tropical escape, follow in the footsteps of a surfer.

They'll lead you to Tahiti, Bali, and Hawaii, of course, and under-the-radar destinations that'll make your heart skip a beat. Case in point: the Mentawai Islands.

The island chain, located in West Sumatra, Indonesia, is made up of four main islands, but there are dozens of palm tree-covered islets in the surrounding ocean. The sand is soft, the waters beautiful blue, and the waves come dangerously close to perfection.

Naturally, surf tourism is a big part of the economy, with surfers traveling from all over the world to chase the pristine waves. Resorts like Kingfisher Mentawai and WavePark revolve around all things surfing, providing speedboat transportation to and from remote surf breaks. Best of all, there's a good chance you'll have the waves all to yourself.

With that said, there's no reason the Mentawai Islands should be a destination exclusive to surfers -- these islands belong on everyone's bucket list.

The vast majority of lodging options are resorts made up of private bungalows, some more luxurious than others. Though most of the activities cater to surfers, there are plenty of options for those who want to skip the waves. Between the snorkeling, fishing, kayaking, and beach lounging, there's an ocean adventure for everyone. There's hiking and beach volleyball, too.

Since the islands are small and relatively undeveloped, don't expect to have many dining and activity options outside of your resort. But if laying on a beach with a smoothie in hand sounds like your style, you'll be utterly content.

If the secluded resorts and private beaches don't have you convinced, maybe the thick rainforests and vibrant aboriginal culture will.

Siberut, the largest island in the Mentawai chain, is covered in tropical rainforest where many Mentawai people still live in villages. If you're looking for a truly off-the-grid adventure, book a trek to explore the inner jungles of Siberut.

Since the islands are fairly secluded, the aboriginal culture is well-preserved. Mentawaians traditionally cover their bodies in elaborate tattoos, and many continue to live in wooden houses called uma.

Getting to the Mentawai Islands is a bit of a trek. After you fly into Minangkabau Airport from either Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur, the easiest way to get to the Mentawai Islands is by boat. (There is an airport on Sipura island, but it is very small and generally unreliable.) Nevertheless, once you make it there, you won't want to leave.

Below, check out your next great island adventure.

A photo posted by jakemarote@gmail.com (@jake_of_all_trades) on Aug 29, 2015 at 9:38pm PDT

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