SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) -State Secretary of Transportation Darin Bergquist told a Senate Committee today that little Johnny shouldn't have to wait a week to fly the drone he got for Christmas while waiting for the state to register his toy.
Bergquist says the measure exempts recreational drones weighing less than 55 pounds to register with South Dakota.
Bergquist says the Federal Aviation Administration set its cutoff point at 55 pounds and the state is following suit. He says the FAA considers any drone above 55 pounds as almost like a regular aircraft.
Bergquist estimates there are 6,000 drones in South Dakota. He says the technology has gotten to the point where many of the systems are being operated by hobbyists and children.
He says most of the drones in South Dakota are for recreation but there is also some commercial use in aerial photography, videography or crop surveillance.
Bergquist for recreational use drones must be five miles from an airport, can't fly over 400 feet up and operators must keep their machines in sight.
The measure passed unanimously and will go to the full Senate.