REMOTE ID BROADCAST
MODULE UPDATE
By Tyler Dobbs, Senior Director of Government Affairs | tylerd@modelaircraft.org
AS A REMINDER, recreational fliers will need to comply with Remote ID requirements starting September 16, 2023. There are three ways to comply:
- Standard Remote ID
- Adding a broadcast module to your aircraft
- Flying at an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA)
Many operators who plan to use the broadcast module option are wondering when they will be able to purchase one in order to be ready for the compliance date. There are a few broadcast modules currently available:
- uAvionix pingRID module (www.uavionix.com)
- Dronetag module (www.dronetag.cz)
- Drone Defence AeroPing module (www.dronedefence.co.uk/aeroping)
- BlueMark DroneBeacon module (www.bluemark.io)
There are still many months before you will need to comply with the Remote ID rule. AMA expects that additional modules will be available before the September deadline and hopes a more cost-efficient solution will be available soon. We will continue to monitor the release of new broadcast modules and keep our membership informed.
Notice of Availability of the Draft PEA for FRIAs
Recently, the FAA published the Notice of Availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for FRIAs. This document analyzes and outlines the potential environmental impacts associated with the establishment of FRIAs.
AMA became aware of the requirement for an environmental assessment back in 2021 and immediately began working with the FAA toward a streamlined process. Thanks to this work, the FAA has preliminarily determined there will not be a significant impact to the human environment. The FAA will use this PEA to create a process and framework that will be used for “tiering” where appropriate, and only do additional analysis on flying sites when necessary.
As a result, an Environmental Impact Statement has not been initiated, and our members should not see FRIA applications denied based on environmental impact.
AMA wants to thank the Prince George’s RC Club and its members for assisting AMA and the FAA with collecting data for this environmental assessment. Your efforts were essential in this process and have not gone unnoticed.
The complete draft PEA can be viewed at www.faa.gov/uas/advanced_operations/media/FRIA-PEA.
To remain current with the most recent government-related news, regularly visit the AMA Government Affairs blog.
If you have any further questions or concerns, contact the Government Affairs department at (765) 287-1256 or amagov@modelaircraft.org.
