REMOTE ID ENFORCEMENT
DATE EXTENDED
By Tyler Dobbs, Senior Director of Government Affairs | tylerd@modelaircraft.org
JUST THREE DAYS before the September 16, 2023, implementation date for the FAA’s Remote ID rule, the agency announced that it would be extending enforcement of the rule for six months. This delayed enforcement now means that UAS operators have until March 16, 2024, to comply.
For months, AMA has been sharing its concerns regarding the lack of available broadcast modules, as well as fears that hundreds of FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA) applications would not be processed by the FAA in time for the original September 16 deadline. Fortunately, our concerns and request for an extension were not ignored.
This additional time will allow the remaining FRIA applications to be processed, permit denied applications the ability to mitigate safety concerns and obtain approval, and allow manufacturers time to stock and distribute broadcast modules for those who are not flying at a FRIA.
FAA Reauthorization Delayed
At the time of writing this article, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation had still not begun markups on FAA Reauthorization. The original delay began in July, shortly after the Senate released its version of the bill, and the delay is continuing after the August recess. It seems imminent that Congress will miss the September 30, 2023, deadline to authorize the FAA, so we will see a short-term continuing resolution to keep the agency funded as lawmakers negotiate the sticking points of the bill.
As some might remember, AMA worked with the House, Senate, and FAA to include language in FAA Reauthorization to address some of the problems that our hobby is currently facing. Both versions of the bill include a process for day-to-day operations over 400 feet in Class G airspace, include provisions to secure large model aircraft operations, and address issues with some educational operations.
Additionally, AMA has a proposed amendment in the Senate that would allow everyone to fly above 400 feet in Class G airspace without a burdensome FAA process, and allow community-based organizations, such as AMA, to self-declare FRIAs.
It’s important to remember that we are still relatively early in the FAA Reauthorization process. Both chambers of Congress still have a lot of work to do before a final version is voted on, passed, and signed by the president. In the meantime, AMA will continue to advocate on behalf of the hobby. We hope that Congress passes an FAA Reauthorization Bill with the needed changes soon.
Continue to monitor AMA’s communication channels and your emails for updates regarding FAA Reauthorization and Remote ID.
