Drone Industry Winners and Losers of Remote ID

The FAA released the final version of Remote ID last week, creating clear winners and losers in the drone industry. Most drone pilots become winners with the release of the updated Remote ID rule. 

The new FAA final rule on Remote ID  has created clear winners and losers.  The biggest win overall is the fact that the FAA dropped NETWORK Remote ID. Aka, allowing a cellular signal to be in control of the flight controller, which we argued would be a nightmare scenario and potentially violate existing Federal Law. While this is good news for commercial drone pilots, and recreational pilots alike.

A first thank you to the FAA for not releasing Remote ID on December 26th.  The FAA allowed all drone pilots to catch some rest this Holiday Season. (Don’t Forget proposed Remote ID  was released Dec 26th last year. Which ruined many Christmas’)

Second thank you to the FAA, for removing Network RID.  We are all winners of Remote ID being that we do not have to broadcast a signal over the internet.  WE also appreciate the FAA sourcing Drone U for comments on Remote Id on page 235 of the final rule.

As the FAA stated “Network-based / Internet transmission requirements have been eliminated. The final rule contains Broadcast-only requirements”

Which drones are affected by this new Remote ID rule?

TLDR: Most….( and your DJI drone most likely already broadcasts, don’t worry)

The FAA released and executive summary of Remote ID, which showcases that any drone that mush be registered, must comply with remote ID…by 2023. 

(While you may first be scared of what your drone has to have in order to broadcast, most DJI drones already utilize a system that is capable of Broadcast Remote ID. )

The FAA was careful to note that even though most drones registered are .55lbs to 55lbs, they noted that any drone used under Part 107 would have to comply with Remote ID as well.

It is safe to assume, if you’re flying a 249 gram drone in the United States…and for commercial purposes, you would have to comply with Remote ID as well. 

Drone Industry Winners of Remote ID

Winners of the new Remote ID rule include:

1. Anyone who flies in an area with sub-par cellular Service.
   1. Why?  FAA completely dropped Network RID…like its hot. Remember network RID was using the internet and USS to verify. We discussed this horrible idea, and we’re grateful that Network ID didn’t pass, it would have crippled the industry.
2. Pilots who like Privacy
   1. Why? FAA upheld the notion of a license plate system.  Traditional license plate systems provide privacy from driver to driver. Standard Remote ID will be available to be seen by the public, but personal details will be limited. The FAA stated:
      1. 1. correlating the serial number or session ID with the registration database will be limited to the FAA and can be made available to authorized law enforcement and national security personnel upon request.
3. Anyone who owns an Existing DJI drone with Occusync
   1. Why? Most DJI drones are already compatible with the Standard Remote ID rule.  Even FPV pilots flying the DJI Air unit is… yessir… Standard Remote ID compatible.
   2. What about other manufacturers, as of right now, we’re creating a list of manufacturers who already comply with Broadcast ID
4. Kids Under the Age of 13
   1. Why? FAA stated that Remote ID applies to all drones that have to be registered. Kids under the age of 13 do not have to register their drones. Security and safety for kids wins again. Due to this kids won’t have to broadcast RID.
5. Recreational Micro Drone Pilots
   1. Why? FAA stated that Remote ID only applies to drones that have to be registered. It is important to note that micro drones used by Part 107 pilots, are subject to drone registration…thus remote ID. If you’re flying that micro-drone strictly for fun, you would not have to broadcast.  No real estate agents you’re not covered here….
6. FPV pilots
   1. Why? FAA stated they’ll allow retrofitting for aircraft that cannot currently comply with standard RID..stating:
      1. Broadcast Module may be a separate device that is attached to an unmanned aircraft, or a feature built into the aircraft.
      2. Enables retrofit for existing UA, and Broadcast Module serial number must be entered into the registration record for the unmanned aircraft.
      3. Broadcast Module Remote ID message includes: serial number of the module; latitude/longitude, altitude, and velocity of UA; latitude/longitude and altitude of the take off location, and time mark
7. Schools
   1. Why? From Elementary schools to trade schools, they are all winners of Remote ID. They can all apply for a FRIA if they can’t broadcast RID on their drones. Meaning kids could build drones in class, then fly them in the quad without regulatory issues.
   2.  FRIA’s allow pilots to fly when they can’t comply with Standard remote id or retrofit. This will allow STEM programs to have kids fly drones at school without broadcasting. Albeit the operations will be limited to the FRIA site.
   3. What is a FRIA?
      1. FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA):
         1. Geographic areas recognized by the FAA where unmanned aircraft not equipped with Remote ID are allowed to fly.
         2. Organizations eligible to apply for establishment of a FRIA include: community-based organizations recognized by the Administrator, primary and secondary educational institutions, trade schools, colleges, and universities.
      2. Must operate within visual line of sight and only within the boundaries of a FRIA.
8. American & Other Drone Manufacturers
   1. Why? The FAA’s manufacturing rules seem to be focused on the broadcast module.  We would imagine it would be nearly impossible for the FAA to create aircraft standardizations for drones, when drones do not have aircraft certificates. Instead it seems the FAA is focused on compliance with broadcast modules. As The FAA stated:
      1. “Remote ID Broadcast modules must be produced to meet the requirements of the rule before they can be used.”

Losers of Remote ID

The vast majority of the drone industry will end up as winners in regards to Remote ID.  Yet there are a few select few groups of people that are likely losers.  While it is understandable that some older vintage RC pilots might be upset with the Rollout of Remote ID, it seems the FAA offered numerous alternatives.

1. Cell Phone Carriers…. & Skyward
   1. Why? Which is positive for the world, data security issues typically occur over the internet. We could vastly limit security issues by not having internet connected drones.  Also Network RID would have shut down most operations in rural areas, sensitive areas and secure areas.
2. Hobbyists and AMA Pilots
   1. Remember AMA pilots, are supposed to register hobby drones through a single registration. That means ama Pilots who literally can’t add additional weight to their fixed wing RC planes, helicopters or vintage aircraft would be limited to FRIA areas.
   2. The AMA has developed countless parks for recreational flying sites for decades.  Now, the Ama sites would have to comply with Remote ID unless they file and are approved to be a FRIA.  We hope that the AMA uses their cut, copy and paste strategy to file for FRIAs for every existing site to help kids and retirees continue to take flight.
3. Ultralight drones and specialty drones
   1. Why? If they can’t retrofit for broadcast RID, they will be limited to flight in FRIA areas.

Note: Questions Persist:

1. FAA states that broadcast signal must be “compatible” with personal devices. This particular point would dictate extreme clarity. The Mavic 2 Pro, Mini 2 and other most popular drones operate on 2.4ghz …which is technically compatible with a cell phones wifi transmitter. Yet it takes a special protocol in order to actually display and or receive any information from the drone to the phone….
2. This issue raises another particularly important point. Our drones shouldn’t be constantly inundated by wifi signals from personal devices.  Why? Helllooooo radio interference… which could lead to a flyaway if a pilot hasn’t properly setup their drone.
3. A phones useable wifi distance is practically speaking maybe 100′? Safe to say drones flying at a constant rate of speed, at a height of 100′ may not be compatible, but would also offer safer flying environment (theoretically).

Frankly, our Flight crew was very worried about the rollout of Remote ID.  We were also worried that the drone industry wouldn’t comply with the proposed Remote ID rules. In fact, we surveyed over 3,000 drone pilots this summer, of which 75% said they wouldn’t comply with the PROPOSED remote id rules.

Safe to say, the FAA averted disaster. We’re grateful, and Remote ID is no longer a burden on drone pilots. We will have additional articles diving down into the facets of Remote ID. Overall there is a lot to be happy about.  Frankly, most drone industry players end up as winners as a result of Remote Id.