FAA’s Remote ID Rule Takes Effect in September

Businesses, law enforcement agencies, and recreational flyers will all be required to have remote ID capabilities by September 16.

Jack Daleo

Friday, July 14, 2023 at 02:27 PM ET

Verified

Starting September 16, all FAA-registered drones must have remote ID capabilities. [Courtesy: JeShoots/Pexels]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA's remote ID rule, effective September 16, mandates that all registered drones must publicly broadcast identification and real-time location data.
Compliance requires drones to either have built-in "standard" remote ID or be retrofitted with an FAA-approved "broadcast module."
The rule applies to most registered drones, with exceptions for those weighing under 0.55 pounds flown recreationally, operations within FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs), or specific waivers.
Drone pilots must register their remote ID-compliant drones or broadcast modules via FAADroneZone, with different registration processes for recreational and Part 107 pilots.

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The FAA published its final rule on remote identification of drones—a revision to Part 89 in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations—in April 2021. The rule is set to take full effect in just a few months. And if they haven’t already, it’s time for drone pilots to prepare.

The FAA’s remote ID rule mandates that by September 16 all drones registered with the agency must also be capable of publicly broadcasting certain information, such as a unique ID number and real-time location data. That means businesses, law enforcement agencies, and even recreational flyers will have two months to make sure they’re compliant.