Officially small unmanned aerial vehicles (sUAVs), which we call drones, require remote identification before they can fly. The final rule was submitted to the Federal Register for publication on December 28, 2020, and finalized and published in early 2021, with an official effective date for Remote ID of April 21, 2021.
The new Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft (Part 89) rules will require manufacturers to ensure all new machines are fitted by September 16, 2022, and pilots will have 30 months to retrofit drones they plan to keep operating. That’s right. Almost any drone you have today will never be legally flown again after September 16, 2023, without at least some modifications.
update: The FAA has extended the enforcement start date. You now have until March 16, 2024 to update or replace non-compliant aircraft.
Don’t panic. There are things you can do to keep flying. Let’s take a look at the important parts of the FAA Remote ID regulations for U.S. pilots.
Summary Title 14, Part 89 of the Code of Federal Regulations
We will have to cover all parts of this rule in more detail in the future. But for now, the main highlights are:
- Any drone that must be registered with the FAA must be remotely identified.
- Remote ID is a local broadcast over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth – no network/internet transfer required!
- There are three ways to comply: Operation within the aircraft’s standard Remote ID, Remote ID Broadcast module, or FAA pre-approved flight zone.
- The drone must perform a self-test and will not be able to take off if the Remote ID is not working.
- The rule expands the role state and local law enforcement can take in enforcing violations of drone laws.
As noted in the proposed rule in early 2020, ADS-B is prohibited as a means of meeting remote identity requirements. Your drone can continue to receive ADS-B transmissions like current DJI drones, but you will need to apply for special approval to equip your drone with an ADS-B transmitter or ATC transponder.
Option 1: Standard remote ID broadcast
- The aircraft’s serial number or session ID is transmitted, as is latitude, longitude, altitude, and speed.
- Ground station (remote control) latitude, longitude and altitude are also included.
- Finally, the broadcast includes emergency situations and time indications.
Broadcast information is available to personal wireless devices within range, but access to the serial number or session ID database is restricted to the FAA and available only to authorized law enforcement and national security personnel upon request. In conclusion, your privacy is protected, but your location during the flight is not.
Option 2: Remote ID Broadcast Module
Future production drones are expected to use the standard Remote ID methods above, but older or non-compatible drones may use a third-party remote ID broadcast module attached to the drone.
- You will need to add the serial number of your Remote ID module to your record of registering your drone with the FAA. (Currently not sure if the same module can be used for multiple drones.)
- The broadcast module transmits the serial number, latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, and latitude, longitude, altitude, and time indication of the takeoff location.
- Drones equipped with a broadcast module cannot operate beyond the line of sight of the scene.
The Remote ID Broadcast module is an appropriate solution for drones that are not equipped with GPS.
Option 3: FAA Recognized Area of Identification (FRIA)
Starting 18 months after these new rules go into effect, organizations can apply for FRIA compliance. This is the geographic area where drones not equipped with Remote ID can fly.
- Eligible organizations include local hobby flying groups and schools.
- Drones in this area are not suitable for operations beyond line-of-sight of the site.
- It is unclear whether this is a public flying area or whether you will need to register and obtain permission from a local agency to fly in that area.
Night flight, operation for people and vehicles, changed to Part 107 license.
In addition to the Remote ID rules above, the FAA is also issuing new rules for night flights, flights over people and/or motor vehicles, and changes to Part 107 licensing requirements. Learn more about the new FAA Part 107 rules here.
Current Part 107 certified pilots will be able to take this new training after April 6, 2021.
Stay tuned for more details on all of the above.
update timeline
January 12, 2021: The InterDrone folks did a lengthy video discussion on this topic.
March 2021: This regulation has been confirmed, and the effective date is April 21, 2021.
April 21, 2021: Remote ID is enabled! New drones released after today will begin to have Remote ID built-in, all drones built after September 2022 will be required to have Remote ID built-in, and existing aircraft can be upgraded or replaced until September 2023.
September 9, 2022: The FAA has begun compiling a list of drones that comply with Remote ID regulations.
September 16, 2022: The FAA has established remote ID requirements for all newly purchased drones.
