Episode 69: Inside The FAA's Remote ID Ruling - Commercial Drone Rules And Regulations

Four days before the new year, after 53,000 public comments on the draft rule, and almost one year after the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) launch, the waiting is over. The Federal Aviation Administration has released its final Remote Identification (RID) Rule. What is Remote ID: The rule creates a new Part 89 in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft. It essentially requires a “digital license plate” for unmanned aircraft (UA) to be operated in the U.S., one that both people on the ground and other airspace users can receive This rule is specifically for UA (the unmanned air vehicle itself) and not unmanned aircraft systems (UAS – which includes the control station and data link). This recognizes that manufacturers might make UA’s that are controlled by another manufacturer’s control stations. More importantly, it ensures that the UA will be broadcasting RID and not the control station. Very important if the UA goes lost link. Timelines: The Rule is effective 60 days from the expected publication date in the Federal Register in January 2021. Operators have thirty months and manufacturers have 18 months after this date to comply (i.e., 60 days plus 30 months). RID Is Needed For: UAs weighing 55 pounds or less that must be registered under part 47 or part 48 RID Is Not Needed For: • Homebuilt unmanned aircraft: defined as a UA that an individual built solely for education or recreation. Homebuilt UA can only fly in an FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA). • UA of the United States government armed forces. • UA that weigh 0.55 pounds or less on takeoff • Research UA: UA designed for the purpose of aeronautical research or test UA designed to show compliance with regulations. • Indoor UA Operations. The RID requirements only apply when the UA exits the interior of a building or structure and is operated outside, so indoor ops are not subject to RID. Types of RID The big news is this rule contains broadcast-only requirements. Network-based/internet transmission requirements and the use of third-party UAS Service Suppliers (USS) were eliminated “at this time.” UAs will broadcast the RID message elements listed below directly from the UA via radio frequency broadcast. The public can use personal wireless devices within range to receive RID. Correlating the serial number or session IDs with the registration database is limited to the FAA only, but can be made available to authorized law enforcement and national security personnel upon request. Compliance The Rule impacts not just operators, but also designers and manufacturers. It contains both design and production requirements. The FAA is using performance-based requirements. Manufacturers must show that their standard RID UA or broadcast module meets the performance requirements of an FAA-accepted means of compliance. Industry consensus standards will be one means, but they have not been accepted by the FAA yet.