First, the 2012 law (FAA Modernization Act) and section 332 specifically, prohibits the FAA from having any jurisdiction whatsoever over model aircraft. This is the LAW. So the FAA's registration proposal is illegal.
And even if it was legal, who knows what they even do with that information. If they use it as effectively as DHS and FBI do in identifying and apprehending terrorists, then the answer is ZIP. And as with guns, registration only harms those who abide by the law. The others go scot-free.
It is silly to think that the idiots who fly drones over people's houses, at parks, and in controlled airspace at airports, will register or follow any laws at all. And this presumes they are even aware of the FAA or AMA at all. Most are not, and treat the drone like an I-phone purchase.
Drone guys were never, are not, and never will be modelers, and the AMA should never have pandered to them in the first place. The AMA figured it could become an official sanctioning body, control them, and rake in millions more in member fees from forced sign-ups of drone operators. It was a pipe dream and won't happen, ever. I agree with Vettster - the AMA should have nothing to do with drones. But that too won't happen under current AMA leadership.
Last edited by TTRotary; 01-09-2016 at 03:22 PM.