District I
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont
AMA’s Advanced Flight Systems Committee members Tyler Dobbs, Tony Stillman, and I have been participating in meetings since 2020 with developers of Remote ID modules to evaluate specifications and test results. This past year, we flew model airplanes with modules to view and determine the range and accuracy of the broadcast position data of longitude, latitude, and altitude, including serial number, velocity, and the flight tracking displayed on cellphones and iPads. The modules we tested proved to be accurate and easy to set up and use with the recommended apps. We didn’t notice any RF or electromagnetic interference with the RC systems.
On September 16, 2023, recreational RC fliers will have to affix an FAA-approved Remote ID module on/in their model aircraft to fly anywhere other than club FRIA sites. To aid fliers who want to purchase a module, we have an AMA Remote ID Module Status Report that’s updated when a module gets an FAA Declaration of Compliance.
The online report allows pilots to view a chart that lists each of the Remote ID modules with their prices and specifications for easy comparison. It links to the manufacturers’ websites and datasheets for the GPS receivers and Bluetooth broadcast modules for those who might want to explore more technical data. The image of part of the chart below shows what module data is in each column and shows the links in columns 1, 7, and 8.
All of the modules listed have met or exceeded the FAA’s $89.320 minimum performance requirements, including ASTM F3411-22a standards. Today’s GNSS/GPS receiver module chips can achieve horizontal position accuracies of between 5 and 10 feet and vertical accuracy of 16 feet or less 95% of the time. This exceeds FAA’s horizontal accuracy requirements of 100 feet, and vertical accuracy of 150 feet 95% of the time.
This column was submitted in June, when 13 modules were on the chart, with nine being stand-alone plug-and-play Remote ID broadcast modules, and four for drones already equipped with GPS. Only one Remote ID module from uAvionix was available for preorder in the US; however, Horizon Hobby, Futaba, and others will be introducing modules later in the summer. Popular FAA-compliant modules from Dronetag, in the Czech Republic, and Blue Mark, in the Netherlands, have been selling in the US since 2022.
Prices vary because modules might be with or without batteries and cases, or have different versions of GPS receiver and Bluetooth module chips. The ultramicro size and lightweight module chips, and those with better position accuracy and range, cost more. The Bluetooth 5.1 version chips cost more because they draw much less current and provide more hours of runtime and, at 2 megabits per second, double the data transmit rate of the older Bluetooth 5.0/4.0 versions. When and where manufacturing is done and shipped from can add to cost and selling prices.
We recommend that members who want to fly at non-FRIA sites be patient as we work toward getting better Remote ID module prices and possible discounts for AMA members as we head toward the September deadline. Keep checking the Remote ID status reports and other documents at https://amadistrict-i.org/rid.
A complete, updated chart and report can be viewed online, along with pages of images and specifications on Remote ID modules.
Andy Argenio
Vice President
brandshobby@gmail.com
3 Sheila Ln., Smithfield, RI 02917
(401) 231-6901
www.amadistrict-i.org
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENTS
Steve Brehm, Jamestown RI; (401) 423-1085; stbrehm@yahoo.com
Jim Cyr, Madison CT; (203) 421-2145; cardenpro6@gmail.com
Andrew Figlar, Shelton CT; (203) 513-8546; safiglar320@gmail.com
Steve Goler, Salem MA; (617) 373-0884; nipmuck2@comcast.net
Daren Hudson, Greenland NH; (603) 674-5809; dh7@comcast.net
Ray LaBonte, Standish ME; (207) 892-7994; rplabonte@aol.com
Tom Lavoie, N. Smithfield RI; (401) 824-6134; d2tw4all@yahoo.com
Joan Liska, Middletown CT; (860) 347-0257; jliska9000@sbcglobal.net
Mark Montella, Falmouth, MA; (508) 457-4984; montellamj@comcast.net
Thomas J. Puma Jr., North Clarendon VT; (802) 558-4439; usakingcat1@aol.com
Tom Rocheleau, Wethersfield CT; (860) 280-1701; trochleau@cox.net
Joel Rosenzweig, Marlborough MA; (508) 667-3720; joel@helitronix.com
Tom Siwek, Shrewsbury MA; (617) 893-5249; trsiwek@gmail.com
William Unghire, Newington CT; (860) 978-5353; n1cnv@icloud.com
Ted Wojcik, Fremont NH; (603) 479-3799; tedwojcik@comcast.net
TECHNOLOGY AND SAFETY OFFICER
John Yassemendis, 5 Quarry Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 321-8442; jyassemendis@comcast.net
EVENT SANCTION COORDINATOR
David Surwell, 24 Norwich Rd., Nashua NH 03062; (603) 888-2020; davidsurwell@comcast.net
