There are currently more drones registered with the government than airplanes
More than 325,000 people have registered their drone with the government, Fortune reported FAA Administrator Michael Huerta saying at a conference in Washington D.C. That number tops the 320,000 airplane registrations with the FAA.
In early January, a little more than 181,000 people had registered their drone with the government - just a few weeks after the mandatory registration program went into effect December 21.
The FAA worked to put the registration program into effect before Christmas because it was expected that the holiday season would 70,000 new drones into households.
Registration, which costs $5, is mandatory for any drone weighing less than 55 pounds. Those who do not register their drone with the government are subject to civil and criminal penalties, which could include fines up to $250,000 and/or up to three years of imprisonment.