You’re not required to re-register your used drone, as long as the original owner already registered it with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Due to my reputation as The Drone Woman, I consistently receive inquiries from aspiring pilots.

To determine whether you need to re-register your drone after purchasing it from a reseller, I sought the expertise of Patrick Sherman, and his insight will help inform my response. As a fellow enthusiast and now a respected professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College, he is uniquely qualified to share his expertise in the field of drones. 

The letter we received from one of our readers was:

Patrick Sherman, the author behind the e-book, has extensive knowledge in spearheading a successful drone business. I asked him to help me with this response.

Here was his response:

You’ve really gained a few distinct insights that are worth recording with the owner of the aircraft. Before proceeding with the questions, let’s clarify the FAA registration issue first?

You may need to re-register your drone even after purchasing it used from a reseller.

When a drone departs your custody, whether due to loss, donation, or retirement from service, in accordance with FAA regulations, you must promptly deregister the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from the FAA’s online system. It is undoubtedly in the former owner’s utmost interest to act accordingly. Right here’s why:

As the brand-new proprietor, I find myself in a precarious situation, having lost control of the aircraft and causing it to crash-land on the local high school’s marching band. When equipment malfunctions or suffers physical harm, people often experience negative consequences. When the FAA investigates an incident, the agency’s initial focus is on verifying the aircraft’s registration number. They will then seek out the individual associated with that registration, who can expect a stern reception as investigators are unlikely to be in a conciliatory mood at this stage.

The individual who provided the plane must urgently request to deregister it with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Without a fundamental grasp of the concept of vicarious liability in law,

As soon as the plane clears the air traffic control’s restrictions, you’ll have access to your personal account. 

Think about your DJI account

If your drone is registered with DJI’s database, it’s also wise to consider another potential risk: The lack of explicit penalties underscores the absence of clear consequences for noncompliance. If your plane needs maintenance, you may need to unlock access to restricted airspace or other permissions, requiring registration as the official owner with the manufacturer’s corporation. What’s the current status of that?

When you’re flying a drone that’s had previous ownership, there are some crucial steps to take before using the SD card for storage. First, power off the drone and remove any existing microSD cards from their slots. Next, locate the small pinhole or reset button on the side of each slot; this is usually labeled as “reset” or “format.” Use a paperclip, toothpick, or even a tiny screwdriver to push the button in for about 3-5 seconds, then release. This will perform a factory reset, effectively wiping the SD card’s contents clean. Once you’ve done this with all existing cards, insert your new microSD cards and ensure they’re securely seated before powering on the drone.

In conclusion, prior to utilizing the SD card, ensure you format it accordingly. Until then, perhaps we’ll stumble upon genuinely breathtaking vistas. Before the file disappears into cyberspace forever, it would be courteous to reach out to the vendor and verify they have a backup on hand.

Be nicely!

-Patrick Sherman

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