Drone regulations and rules continue to mature as adoption continues to grow. The Global Commercial Drone Market Size in 2022 was USD 8.15 billion and will be worth USD 47.38 billion by 2030. Expanding technological advancements in commercial drones are speeding their adoption and use in more industries than ever, including:
- Construction
- Agriculture
- Logistics
- Civil Engineering
- Entertainment
- Filmmaking
- Disaster Management
- Transportation
- Oil & Gas
- Photography
- Research & Development
- Rescue
- Surveying
- Surveillance
- Warehousing
Drones now even enjoy some integration with modern machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) that enable them to detect nearby items in the air, change detection, and better gather data on the ground.
What is Remote ID for Drones?
Remote ID is one of the most important drone features that every operator should know about. It is a system for tracking and identifying drones flying within the US National Airspace System (NAS). Remote ID consists of a module that automatically broadcasts a drone’s GPS location, altitude, takeoff point/control station location, operator information, and more. This allows the FAA, local law enforcement, and other agencies with the proper equipment and authority to locate a drone and its operator when necessary.
Remote ID helps keep drone operators accountable for safe and courteous operations. Plus, in the future, it will also allow more operations without a waiver, such as flying over crowds or beyond line of sight. No more waiting for weeks to obtain a waiver and hoping it arrives before your scheduled event — with Remote ID operable on your drone, you are ready to go to work immediately. (Contact us for help with an BVLOS waivers).
The Remote ID tracking system is similar to other systems that allow tracking of airplanes and maritime vessels. Even vehicle license plates can be tracked by traffic and toll booth cameras for certain purposes. Drones manufactured after September 2022 are required to have a Remote ID device built in. All drone operators will be required to have Remote ID operational on their drone by September 16, 2023.
The three classifications of drones for Remote ID are:
- Standard Remote ID Drone — these are new drones that come with Remote ID built into the drone from the factory.
- Drone with a Remote ID Broadcast Module — these are older drones that have an aftermarket Remote ID module attached to comply with Remote ID requirements.
- Drone without a Remote ID — these drones are limited to operating in an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) like designated hobby club areas or educational institutions. Think RC (remote control) park.
What Are the Rules for Flying Drones Over People?
The FAA rules for flying drones over people have changed. Operators meeting certain qualifications can now fly drones over crowds of people or vehicles, or at night, without a waiver. There are, however, several guidelines that must be followed. Your operations must meet at least one of the four operational categories based on the type of drone you are flying. You can learn more at the FAA’s page for Drone Operations Over People.
What Drones Have a Remote ID Built In?
As of September 28, 2022, this was the current list of Remote ID-approved drone models. The list is constantly being updated, so you should check any drone’s documentation before purchasing to be sure yours is compliant. You can also check the FAA’s list of compliant models.
- Autel Evo Lite+ MDXM2
- Autel Evo Lite MDXM
- DJI Matrice 300 RTK
- DJI Mavic 3 Thermal
- DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise
- Sony ARS-S1
- DJI Matrice 30 Thermal
- DJI Matrice 30
- DJI Mavic 3 Cine
- DJI Mavic 3
- DJI Avata
- DJI Air 2S
- DJI Mini 3 Pro
- Wingtra WingtraOne Gen II
- Microdrones md4-3000
- Microdrones md4-1000
The FAA has also approved two broadcast modules for Remote ID:
- Dronetag Mini
- BlueMark db100
Where Can You Get a Drone with Built-in Remote ID?
Are you in the market for a newer model drone with built-in Remote ID? 1UP Aerial Drone Services, Inc. sells the latest models of a wide variety of popular name-brand drones for commercial and personal use. Shop our online store or contact us for more information.
