The FAA’s mandate that all RC aircraft over 8 ounces/250 grams have continuous remote identification broadcasts goes into effect on Sep 16. Model aircraft and drones that cannot comply by then, are grounded.
Two weeks away – yet there are only a handful of remote ID modules available for older aircraft, they cost about US $140 to $300 each, far more than the FAA’s estimate of $50, and all are back ordered, such that flyers – including commercial Part 107 pilots – will be grounded as of Sep 16th.
In other words, compliance is not possible.
Some older quadcopter drones can get updated firmware that adds Remote ID functionality – while many have no planned updates, and others will not be available yet for months. Some new drones sold during the past year or so, have built in Remote ID – but the overwhelming majority of drones do not have Remote ID at this time.
Meanwhile, the FAA has a program to allow RC hobbyists to continue flying without Remote ID – but only at FAA approved locations referred to as “FRIA“. The AMA has about 1,700 “FRIA” requests – 700 have been approved, 200 have been denied, and 800 are pending just 2 weeks from the deadline.
The FAA appears to be denying FRIA applications based on unspecified criteria about flying fields too close to structures or people – fields that in many cases have been in use for decades. Yet, with Remote ID, flight there will be okay. Which makes no sense if being too close is the problem.
The FAA is behind in approving FRIA applications, and manufacturers are behind in module development and sales, and existing quad copter software updates. Compliance for most is, at this point, not an option.
A lot of the RC and quadcopter fleet will be grounded on Sep 16th for an unknown period. Some commercial operators have said they had to buy new, compliant aircraft, due to the lack of sensible upgrade options.
While the Sep 16th date cannot be changed, the FAA may announce it will not enforce RID rules until months later. Otherwise, most of the millions of RC model aircraft and quadcopters will be de facto grounded for months – when presumably RID will finally be available in sufficient quantities – yet at high prices.
