As expected, the FAA launched its final remote identification rule for drones, as well as operations on people. All FAA registered drones and any drones below 250 grams involved in commercial work under Part 107 must be able to transmit their identification in the future.
There has been a lot of talk about Remote ID in the drone space in recent years. The concept is quite simple: to make drones transmit some type of identification – think of it as a license plate – that can be accessed by aviation authorities and police authorities. The goal is to keep airspace safe by ensuring that those responsible for keeping airspace safe for manned aircraft know where the drones are. It also offers another tool in cases where someone is flying illegally.
Let’s look more closely.
The Executive Summary
There is a lot of information and legal language in the language. If you want to dig deeper into all of this, you can find the final rule of remote ID here.
But to make things simpler, let’s paste the FAA executive summary below. There are many implications here, for both pilots and manufacturers.
Here is the summary, literally:
Executive summary
Final rule in
Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft (Part 89) December 28, 2020
The final rule for remote identification of unmanned aircraft is the next incremental step towards further integrating unmanned aircraft (UA) into the national airspace system. In its most basic form, remote identification can be described as a “digital license plate” for UA. Remote identification is necessary to address aviation security and protection issues related to AU operations in the National Airspace System and is an essential building block for safely allowing more complex AU operations.
The final rule establishes a new Part 89 in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The final rule has been sent to the Federal Registry Office and will take effect 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Registry. Publication is scheduled for January 2021. Compliance deadlines and main provisions are summarized below.
Operational Rules
According to the final rule, all UAs required to register must identify themselves remotely and operators have three options (described below) to meet this requirement. For UA weighing 0.55 lbs or less, remote identification is only required if the UA is operated under rules that require registration, such as part 107. Operational rules come into force 30 months after the effective date of the rule.
1. Standard remote ID unmanned aircraft:
- It transmits remote ID messages directly from the UA via radio frequency transmission (probably Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology), and the transmission will be compatible with existing personal wireless devices.
- The standard remote ID message includes: UA ID (UA serial number or session ID), latitude / longitude, altitude and UA speed; ControlStation latitude / longitude and altitude; emergency status; and time stamp.
- The remote ID message will be available for most personal wireless devices within the transmission range; however, correlating the serial number or session ID with the registration database will be limited to the FAA and can be made available to authorized police and national security personnel upon request.
- The range of remote ID transmission can vary, as each AU must be designed to maximize the range at which the transmission can be received.
- UA with remote ID transmission module:
- The Transmission Module can be a separate device connected to an unmanned aircraft or a feature built into the aircraft.
- It allows retrofitting to existing UA, and the serial number of the Transmission Module must be entered in the registration record of the unmanned aircraft.
- The remote ID message of the transmission module includes: module serial number, latitude / longitude, altitude and AU speed; latitude / longitude and altitude of the takeoff location and time stamp.
- The UA that identifies itself remotely with a Transmission Module must be operated within visual line of sight at all times.
- Transmission module for transmission via radio frequency (probably Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology).
- Compatibility with personal wireless devices and remote ID transmission message range similar to UA standard remote ID (see above).
- Identification areas recognized by the FAA (FRIA):
- Geographic areas recognized by the FAA where unmanned aircraft not equipped with remote ID can fly.
- Organizations eligible to apply to establish a FRIA include: community-based organizations recognized by the Administrator, primary and secondary educational institutions, business schools, colleges and universities.
- It must operate within the visual line of sight and only within the limits of a FRIA.
- The FAA will begin accepting applications for FRIAs 18 months after the effective date of the rule, and applications can be submitted at any time after that date.
- FRIA authorizations will be valid for 48 months, can be renewed and can be terminated by the FAA for security or protection reasons.Design and production rules for manufacturers
- Most unmanned aircraft must be produced as a standard remote ID unmanned aircraft and meet the requirements of this rule from 18 months after the rule’s effective date.
- Remote ID transmission modules must be produced to meet the requirements of the rule before they can be used.
- The final rule establishes minimum performance requirements that describe the desired results, goals and results for remote identification without establishing a specific means or process.
- A person who designs or produces a standard UA or transmission module must show that the UA or transmission module has met the rule’s performance requirements, following an FAA-compliant means of compliance.
- According to the rule, anyone can create a means of compliance. However, the FAA must accept this means of compliance before it can be used for the design or production of any standard remote identification AU or remote identification transmission module.
- The FAA encourages consensus bodies to develop means of compliance and submit them for acceptance by the FAA.
- Highlights of the standard remote ID UA performance requirements:
o The UA must do the self-test so that the UA cannot take off if the remote ID is not working
the remote ID cannot be disabled by the operator
o Remote ID transmission must be sent through the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum
(receivable by personal wireless devices, for example: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)
o Standard remote ID and UA remote transmission modules should be designed to
maximize the range at which the transmission can be received.
Other provisions in the final remote ID rule
• Prohibition of Air Traffic Control Transponder (ATC) and Transponder Output to UAS Dependent Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)
o The final rule amends Parts 91 and 107 to prohibit the use of ADS-B Out or ATC Transponders in the UAS, unless otherwise authorized by the Administrator, or if flying under a flight plan and in two-way radio communication with the ATC.
o The authorization of the ADS-B Out and ATC transponder is likely for large UAS operating in controlled airspace.
o Part 89 prohibits the use of ADS-B Out as a means of meeting remote ID requirements.
• Aeronautical Research
o The rule provides for operators to seek special authorization to operate UA without
remote identification for aeronautical research purposes or to show
compliance with regulations. • Diversion authority
o The final rule provides a mechanism for the FAA administrator to authorize deviations from operational requirements.
• Unmanned civilian aircraft registered abroad and operated in the United States
o The rule allows an UA registered in a foreign country to be operated in the United States
It states only if the operator files an identification notice with the FAA. This allows the FAA and security forces to correlate a remote ID transmission with a person responsible for operating a registered UA abroad.
Main changes from the proposed rule to the final rule
- Network / Internet based transmission requirements have been eliminated. The final rule contains transmission-only requirements.
- UAS operators under the exception for limited recreational operations may continue to register with the FAA once, instead of registering each aircraft. However, each serial number of the standard UA or Transmission Module must also be entered in the registration record of the unmanned aircraft.
- The ‘Limited Remote ID UAS’ has been eliminated and replaced by the Remote ID Transmission Module requirements to allow the existing UA to be in compliance.
- FRIA applications may be submitted to the FAA 18 months after the rule’s effective date, and applications may be submitted at any time thereafter.
- Educational institutions can now apply for FRIAs, as well as community-based organizations.
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