What is My Drone Remote ID and How to Comply with FAA Rules

As a drone owner, you're likely aware that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has rules in place to ensure safe and responsible drone operations. The FAA's Remote ID rule is a crucial part of this effort.

The FAA's Remote ID rule requires drones to broadcast their location and other identifying information to the public, making it easier to track and identify drones in flight. This information is broadcast through a unique identifier, which is what you're looking for when you ask "what is my drone remote ID".

To comply with FAA rules, drone owners must ensure their drones are equipped with a Remote ID system. This system transmits the drone's location, altitude, and other identifying information to the public.

In 2022, the FAA began enforcing the Remote ID rule, requiring drones to broadcast their location and other identifying information. This rule applies to all drones weighing over 0.55 pounds and flying in the United States.

For another approach, see: Faa Drone Remote Id Module

Before you start flying your drone, it's essential to check if your drone or broadcast module is on an FAA-accepted Remote ID Declaration of Compliance.

You can do this by visiting the UAS Declaration of Compliance System website, which is where you'll find the list of compliant drones and modules.

First and foremost, you need to determine if your drone or broadcast module is on an FAA-accepted Remote ID Declaration of Compliance.

To do this, check the UAS Declaration of Compliance System website.

Make sure you have the necessary information before proceeding, as this will save you time and potential headaches in the long run.

The journey to Remote ID compliance began in December 2019 when the FAA published the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Over 53,000 comments were received by the FAA during the 60-day comment period that followed, showing just how important this topic is to drone enthusiasts and experts.

The FAA thoroughly reviewed all these comments and took them into account when developing the final rule.

The final rule was officially published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2021, initially set to become effective on March 16, 2021.

However, corrections to the rule were made and published in the Federal Register on March 10, 2021, leading to a delayed effective date of April 21, 2021.

Regulatory bodies like the FAA have been at the forefront of developing standards for Drone Remote ID, laying the groundwork for advanced drone applications like beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

The FAA's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regarding the Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems was issued on December 31, 2019.

Registration is a crucial step in drone operations, and it's essential to understand the requirements for registering your drone with Remote ID. Recreational drone pilots can register once and apply their registration number to all devices in their inventory.

To register, you'll need to list the serial number of each Standard Remote ID drone and/or Remote ID broadcast module. If you use a Remote ID broadcast module, you'll need to list the serial number attached to the module for each drone not equipped with Standard Remote ID.

Here are the key differences to keep in mind:

To update your drone registration to indicate Remote ID compliance, follow these steps:

Registering your drone is a straightforward process, but it's essential to understand the different requirements for recreational pilots and Part 107 pilots. Recreational pilots can register once and apply their registration number to all their devices.

To register your drone, you'll need to list the serial number of each Standard Remote ID drone and/or the Remote ID broadcast module during registration. If you use a Remote ID broadcast module, you must list the serial number attached to the module for each drone not equipped with Standard Remote ID.

Broaden your view: Drone Remote Id Broadcast Module

Recreational pilots can register all their devices at once, but Part 107 pilots must register each individual device separately. This means each device will be assigned a unique registration number.

Here's a step-by-step guide to editing your drone registration to indicate Remote ID compliance:

It's also essential to note that Session ID is a specific type of Remote ID that offers more privacy by linking a unique identifier to each session. However, this capability won't be accessible to the public, and the FAA plans to gather public input on the Session ID policy before making it final.

If you're looking to purchase a Remote ID module, you have a few options to consider. Non-Self-Contained modules, which don't have a built-in power source and are designed to be integrated into the aircraft, start at around $40.

The cost of a Self-Contained module, which has a built-in power source and antennas, can range from about $130 to $300. Examples of such modules include the AeroPing and the BlueMark DB120 Beacon.

The Hex Cube ID is another example of a non-Self-Contained module, which also falls into the lower price range.

A unique perspective: Dji - Mini 2 Se Drone with Remote Control

Conforming to FAA Requirements is a straightforward process. To ensure your drone is compliant, you can operate a Standard Remote ID Drone, which broadcasts identification and location information about the drone and control station.

If your drone doesn't have built-in FAA Remote ID broadcast capabilities, you can add a Remote ID Broadcast Module to retrofit it. This module broadcasts identification and location information about the drone and its take-off location.

Pilots operating a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module must be able to see their drone at all times during flight. This is a requirement for all drones with a Remote ID broadcast module.

You can also fly within a FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA), a defined geographic area where drones can be flown if they don’t have Remote ID equipment. Drones without Remote ID must operate within visual line of sight and within the FRIA.

If your drone was registered through the Export Control Dashboard, the FAA will complete the necessary steps to ensure compliance. If you registered the drone yourself, you'll need to complete the steps outlined by the FAA.

Recreational pilots who fly drones over 250 grams and under 55 lbs must comply with the Remote ID mandate. This also applies to drones operated for public safety and by state and tribal agencies.