As of March 16, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated compliance with the Remote Identification (RID) rule for individuals and organizations operating drones. The FAA's policy states, "The FAA will consider all circumstances, including unanticipated issues with the available supply and cost of remote identification broadcast modules, and unanticipated delays in the FAA's approval of FAA-recognized identification areas, when exercising its discretion in determining whether to take enforcement action."
In essence, the FAA expects widespread RID compliance and will enforce penalties, fines, or suspensions on a case-by-case basis, using their discretion.
In this article, we’ll discuss the concept of Remote ID, its necessity, and how to ensure compliance to avoid penalties or consequences.
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What is the purpose of Remote ID?
Remote ID acts as a "digital license plate" for drones, requiring them to broadcast their location, latitude, longitude, and heading through either an internal signal or an attached broadcast module. The FAA mandates that almost all drones must transmit this data to a service provider’s database over wireless networks.
In the United States, Remote ID is mandatory for commercial drone operators under 14 CFR Part 107 rules. Recreational operators, flying under 49 USC 44809, are also required to comply, with certain exceptions that we will explore later.
A brief history and overview of drone regulations.
Since 2015, the FAA has been developing regulations to balance the growth of the drone industry with safety and security concerns in the National Airspace System (NAS). Initial regulations focused on defining where drones could and couldn't fly. In August 2016, Part 107 was established, allowing more remote pilots to fly commercially. However, monitoring the increasing number of drones in the sky remained a challenge until the FAA released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Remote ID in late 2019, following extensive discussions between industry stakeholders and Congress.
The public had the opportunity to review and comment on the NPRM before the final rule was established. Despite over 52,000 comments expressing concerns—such as the potential for tracking a remote pilot’s location—the FAA released a similar final ruling, requiring drone manufacturers to comply by September 2022.
Thus Remote ID was introduced.
As unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sales continue to grow, it’s essential to have a system in place to ensure transparency and accountability. Proper implementation of Remote ID will not only help safely integrate drones into NAS, alongside helicopters and airplanes, but also enable enterprises and commercial remote pilots to conduct complex operations, such as beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights and flights over people.
For those who have sought to secure waivers for complex operations, particularly BVLOS, you’ll know the process can be lengthy and time-consuming. Remote ID is intended to streamline this process for remote pilots.
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How do I comply with Remote ID?
Now that we’ve discussed what Remote ID is, how it came into existence, and why the industry needs it, we’ll look at three ways you can remain compliant.
The easiest and most effective way is to own a Standard Remote ID drone that transmits identification and location details of the drone and its remote. This type of drone is manufactured with built-in capabilities to transmit information as per RID rule requirements.
The good news is that most of the newer DJI and Autel models already have RID built in as manufacturers were required to comply by September 22, 2022. This date was pushed back to December, but, even so, most contemporary drones can transmit Remote ID without an external module.
If you’ve ever seen a ‘Remote ID Error’ notification on your app’s screen, it means your drone has built-in Remote ID capabilities. Below is an abridged list of the models the FAA has deemed Remote ID-ready.
Ascent AeroSystems Spirit
Autel EVO Max Series
Autel EVO II V3
Autel Dragonfish Lite/Pro/Standard
DJI M30T
DJI M30T Dock
DJI M3TD (Dock 2)
DJI M350 RTK
DJI Mavic 3 Series
DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise Series
DJI Avata
Inspired Flight IF1200A
Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat
Parrot ANAFI Ai
Parrot ANAFI USA
Teal 2
If your drone is not listed, or if you’re unsure whether your drone is compliant, the FAA has provided an aircraft and serial number lookup here. Enter your drone model's serial number into the FAA's DroneZone, where you registered the drone.
If Remote ID isn’t built-in to your drone already, you can attach a broadcast module. A broadcast module is a device that transmits identification and location information about the drone, including its take-off location, in accordance with the requirements of the Remote ID rule. This type of module is physically attached to a drone and is sold separately with a separate serial number that must be entered with your drone's registration info. The cost of modules varies. Pilots operating a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module must maintain visual line of sight with their drone at all times during flight.
You may not need to comply with Remote ID if you operate in FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs) supported by community-based organizations (CBOs) or educational institutions. FRIAs are the only locations where UAS (drones and radio-controlled airplanes) can operate without transmitting Remote ID message elements, and these areas must be approved by the FAA.
There’s one more caveat that the FAA doesn’t make obvious on their website but is worth pointing out. If you are flying recreationally and you don’t want to be limited to a FRIA, a sub-250g drone can be flown anywhere other drones are allowed. No registration means no Remote ID.
Adding to the nuance, if you’re flying a DJI Mini 3, weighing in at only 249 grams, and add a simple prop guard or other implement to the airframe, this addition might increase the weight of the aircraft past the FAA’s set standards, requiring you to take steps to become RID compliant.
What’s Next?
We understand it’s challenging to keep up with the evolving drone industry and its implications for your organization's drone program. That’s why we’re here. Our professionals are not only educated in drone and robotics technology but also experts with thousands of hours of field experience, ready to answer your compliance questions and provide the right solutions the first time.
If you’re looking for broadcast modules, have questions about compliance, or need cutting-edge technology solutions for your business, we’ve got you covered. Visit our online store and reach out to us directly with any questions. We’re here when you need us.
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