Have you heard about the new rule regarding drones? As of September 16, 2023, all commercially operated drone has to be registered and it needs to have Remote Identification. This rule also applies to all recreational drones weighing between 250 grams to 25 kilograms. Remote ID allows better control of the National Airspace so that increased uncrewed operations can occur. The Remote ID broadcasts information of the drone’s operation over radio frequencies like Wifi and Bluetooth. Each drone equipped with a Remote ID will have a specific ID, similar to a license plate. It identifies the drone and broadcasts information on the location, altitude, and speed of the drone. Access to personal information or the drone’s registration will not be available to the general public.
Either your commercially operated drone has Remote ID built into it or it doesn’t. Prior to September 16, 2023, drones did not have to be Remote ID compliant. However, you did have some companies that began installing Remote ID prior to the compliance date. After September 16, 2023, all manufacturers of drones that weigh between 250 grams and 25 kilograms are required to have Standard Remote ID built into the drone and remote control. This rule is also for recreational pilots.
Drones manufactured prior to September 16, 2023, were not required to have Remote ID. In order to be compliant with the new regulations, older drones are now required to have installed a Remote ID Broadcast Module attached to the exterior of the craft. Due to the extended delivery times of available Broadcast Modules, the date for compliance was extended to March 16, 2023. In order to be in compliance, the drone operator must have Remote ID or have made an attempt to get one. On March 16, 2023, all commercially operated drones will be required to have Remote ID.
The question for most pilots now is becoming, should I replace my old drone with a new one with a Standard Remote ID or buy a Broadcast Module to be compliant. For me, I have two drones that are only 2 years old and so I will be purchasing a Broadcast Module. Included in my startup procedure will now be making sure the Broadcast Module is working properly.
Drones with built in Standard Remote ID’s will have a distinct advantage over drones requiring a Broadcast Module. A Broadcast Module requires the Pilot in Command to always be able to have a Visual Line of Sight with the drone, even with a Visual Observer. A Broadcast Module will increase start-up times because it is separate from the system and finally, how long are the batteries going to last. With a built in Standard Remote ID, the ID starts up when the drone starts-up and is part of the system, not separate.
The looming question for the Drone Operator is what will the public be able to see. Given the right equipment or apps, the general public will be able to see the general information on the drone. The big difference between a Standard Module and a Broadcast Module is that with a Standard Module Remote ID compliant drone, the location of the control station will also be known. This will be the key to more complex operations in the future. The pilots identity will not be disclosed but their identification number will be known. Enforcement is right around the corner. Don’t get caught being in noncompliance. Remember, if your drone has to registered, it has to have remote ID.
