This post summarizes the FAA’s committee report and recommendations on remote ID for drones and quadcopters. It looks like some model aircraft might be exempt from remote ID requirements but only if flown in a 400′ distance of the operator – in other words, a tiny area. All other flights will require remote ID, be trackable in real-time, and for majority of people who live within Class B, C and D, or even E, airspace, they will need to pre-file a flight plan before flight and be trackable with a remote ID transponder. In some cases, the craft may be required to communicate to a tracking network, perhaps via link to your cellphone and then through the Internet. All of these “features” will add up in both fixed costs (buying remote ID transponders) and variable costs (possibly fees to pay for the tracking infrastructure.).

Basically, a lot of things are now in motion with this report and the 2018 FAA Reauthorization bill that will likely place significant restrictions on hobby flying of toy model aircraft. Such flights are likely to be limited only to approved community model airfields. All other flights will require remote ID, and eventually real-time, networking tracking, all of which will cost money. In effect, the long term direction of these initiative is potentially going to de facto shrink, if not eliminate, most public access to model aircraft operations.

Congress is on the precipice of passing a new FAA authorization (funding) bill that includes draconian measures on model aircraft. So draconian as to potentially eliminate much of the hobby community in the near future by adding significant regulatory burdens and costs on hobbyists – to benefit corporate America.

Contrary to initial reports, drones have been mostly grounded in the Hurricane Florence recovery effort, in part because of multi-agency confusion and bureaucracy and that emergency managers may have unrealistic views of what problems can be assisted with drones.

FAA Administrator wants all model aircraft to have remote ID transponders. The Department of Transportation’s Chief Counsel said the same thing earlier this year.

(Bloomberg) — As Hurricane Florence batters the southeastern U.S., a small army of drones is being assembled to quickly help identify and even fix damage caused by the storm. Source: Drone Army Is Ready to Swoop in for Florence Power Recovery In the aftermath of...