Regulator announces additional guidelines to expand use of drones

*The US Federal Aviation Administration has stated the aerial vehicles may be flown over people and at night

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Aviation Administration in the United States (US) has expanded the ways these aerial devices can be used in the developed country.

ConsumerConnect reports the fresh rules, unveiled this week, address security issues by mandating that larger aerial vehicles have onboard remote identification technology. According to the aviation regulatory agency, this will allow drones in the air to be identified from the ground.

The new rules also allow drones to be flown over people and at night.

In the past, drones could only legally be flown over people who were part of the operation, inside a building, or in a parked vehicle.

While the new rules will apply to everyone who flies a drone, including hobbyists, it’s aimed at speeding up the deployment of drones for commercial purposes.

The FAA said: “The new rules make way for the further integration of drones into our airspace by addressing safety and security concerns.

“They get us closer to the day when we will more routinely see drone operations such as the delivery of packages.”

The agency further stated that Remote ID is a major step toward the full integration of drones into the national airspace system.

It allows controllers to monitor drones in flight, as well as the location of their control stations, said the regulator.

Meanwhile, regarding the digital licence plate, the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International said Remote ID would function as “a digital licence plate for drones … that will enable more complex operations” while operations at night and over people “are important steps.”

According to the association, the Remote ID rule will apply to all drones that require FAA registration.

There are three ways to comply with the operational requirements, including:

1. Operate a standard Remote ID drone that broadcasts identification and location information of the drone and control station;
2. Operate a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module (may be a separate device attached to the drone), which broadcasts identification, location, and take-off information; or
3. Operate a drone without Remote ID but at specific FAA-recognised identification areas.

The FAA says drones make up the fastest-growing segment in the entire transportation sector. There are currently over 1.7 million drone registrations and 203,000 FAA-certificated remote pilots.

The agency added that having Remote ID on board would be required for all drones weighing 0.55 lb (0.25 kg) or more, but it’s required for smaller drones under certain circumstances like flights over open-air assemblies.

The final rules take effect in 60 days.

Kindly Share This Story