Have you spotted a drone in your airspace?
Would you like to know who is flying it?
Nationwide, many airport managers and staff have been asking the same question.
The FAA has recently ruled that all sUAS (drones) shall be equipped with Remote ID capability, which serves as a digital license plate for drones. Remote ID was created to aid in the safe integration and regulation of drones in the National Airspace System (NAS).
Remote ID provides the identity, location, and altitude of the drone, and its take-off location.
When a drone is being flown unsafely or in a prohibited location, witnesses can gain valuable knowledge of the drone and the pilot with Remote ID, and can report the wrongful flight operation and communicate with the pilot as necessary.
The Remote ID ruling went into effect on April 23, 2021. Drone manufacturers and existing operators must equip their drones with Remote ID by September 16, 2023. The FAA outlines three ways drone operators can meet the identification requirements:
- Remote ID capability built into the drone.
- Remote ID capability through a module attached to the drone.
- Using FAA-recognized Identification Areas (FRIA).
Drones with built-in Remote ID work through radio frequency. The drone will broadcast Remote ID information including the drone ID, drone location, altitude, velocity, time mark, control station, and elevation.
The module attachment broadcasts the same information through radio frequency but requires the pilot to operate within visual line of sight.
FRIAs are designated areas for drones without Remote ID, which are required to operate within visual line of sight while in flight. Most drones in these areas will be recreational users and/or model aircraft. Each FRIA can only be set up by community-based organizations and educational institutions.
The FAA and governing agencies are holding drone users responsible for their flights and actions in the airspace with Remote ID. Safety and accountability are at the forefront of the Remote ID rule and align with the FAA’s goal of safely integrating drones into the NAS.
Drone detection and tracking programs currently available to airports can identify basic information on a drone, such as the drone type and location. These programs are used to define the limits of the airspace being monitored and set up alerts that trigger when a drone encroaches on these boundaries. The current programs available are limited, detecting only commercial and professional use drones, not most recreational drones.
The full implementation of Remote ID in September 2023 will provide a powerful tool in ensuring airport safety.
For more information on the FAA’s UAS Remote ID initiative, visit:https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/remote_id/
