FAA releases Final Rule on Remote ID (12/28/20)

[Chuck Baker]

FAA released the Final Rule on Remote ID on 12/28/20

Some of the key changes from the original FAA proposed rule are as follows:

1) The proposed rule will not take effect until the end of February (60 days after it was submitted). There will then be an 18 month period for manufacturers to comply with it (August of 2022) and 30 months for operators to comply (August of 2023).

2) They removed the time limit for FRIA submittals, so clubs needing to relocate will be able to submit a request for a new location. They will no longer be phased out.

3) They removed the network connectivity requirement.

4) There are still three options for compliance:
     •   (1) Standard Remote ID - Aircraft will be equipped with a transponder from the manufacturer and you will need to link it to your FAA registration number.
     •   (2) Remote ID Broadcast Module - Will allow you to add a module to existing aircraft to allow them to be flown outside of a FRIA. Module will need to be linked to your FAA number.
     •   (3) FRIA - You can fly your aircraft w/o remote ID at FAA Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs). This will allow existing clubs to continue flying as we have for years.

If you'd like to read the entire 470 page document, you can find it here:
www.faa.gov/news/media/attachments/RemoteID_Final_Rule.pdf

If you'd rather just read the summary, it can be found here:
https://www.faa.gov/news/media/attachments/RemoteID_Executive_Summary.pdf

AMA released the following YouTube video on 12/29 to discuss the proposed rule:
https://youtu.be/brmWASOgqM4

Erik Munevar sent me a link to an interesting review by RC Video Reviews:
https://youtu.be/hLyAsHLaa4c

Bottom line, this should not affect us at club flying fields (FRIAs).
If you fly at other locations, you won't need to comply until August of 2023.

Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to try to answer them.