Federal regulators announced Monday that the government plans to require recreational drone owners to register their aircraft—a move that at least two associations viewed as a positive development.

Drone aircraft have become a flight hazard in recent years with pilots spotting the devices both near traditional aircraft and flying over airports and other restricted airspace. As a result, the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation said they would convene a task force of government and private sector representatives to develop a system for registering drones.

The goal is to have the registry in place before Christmas, given most drones are sold during the holiday season, the Washington Post reported. http://wapo.st/1LkJ7r6

Helicopter Association International welcomed the news in a statement. The group said it has been a long-time proponent of drones provided they are safely integrated into the national airspace system.

"Our members generally operate their manned helicopters in the same low-altitude airspace that most unmanned aircraft fly in," HAI CEO Matt Zuccaro said. "Safety has always been HAI's top priority, and it has never been more important than now, as the FAA works to incorporate an completely new kind of aircraft into the mix."

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International, which represents the drone industry, announced that its CEO, Brian Wynne, would be a member of the task force.

"AUVSI welcomes the opportunity to join this task force of government and industry stakeholders," Wynne said. "This collaborative effort to develop an efficient process for UAS registration should lead to increased accountability across the entire aviation community."

At least one association urged caution as the federal government moved ahead with its plans. Consumer Electronics Association CEO Gary Shapiro said any new reporting requirements "must be balanced against factors including convenience, data integrity and privacy."

"Any proposal must sensibly and reliably differentiate products, ranging from toys to equipment intended for commercial use," he said. "The task force's focus on mandatory registration should expand to determine if there are better ways to meet the objectives of regulators and law enforcement."

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