The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Remote Identification (Remote ID) is a system that gives drones in flights the ability to provide identification and location information that can be received by people within range of local radio signals. The FAA has compared this system to a “digital license plate” for drones. This Remote ID rule will apply to all drone operators in the United States, with the following exemptions:
– You fly a drone that weighs less than 250g, like the DJI Mini 3, and you fly it for recreation purposes only.
– You fly a drone at an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). These FRIAs include your traditional model airplane fields where hobbyists have gathered for decades.
The FAA assures that Remote ID will help law enforcement and other federal agencies find the control station when a drone appears to be flying in an unsafe manner or if it is flying in an area that is not allowed to fly. The FAA’s first deadline for newly manufactured drones is set to take effect today – September 16, 2022 – with a caveat that the FAA would allow some manufacturers extra time to comply.
DJI is complying with the FAA’s mandate, and this is reflected in their current product line. Starting with seven of their newest and most popular platforms for both consumer and Enterprise customers including; Mini 3 Pro, Avata, Air 2S, Mavic 3, Mavic 3 Cine, M30 and M30T. Customer’s can view DJI’s initial approvals, as posted on the FAA’s Declaration of Compliance page, and DJI continues to seek FAA approval for additional drone models, of which will be posted on the FAA website as they are approved.
Newly manufactured versions of the listed drones will comply with Remote ID with no further action required. Drones manufactured before the deadline will be able to comply with the Remote ID requirements by way of downloading a firmware update at a later date. As you order drones, drones with the Remote ID functionality will include the following “ASTM f3411-22a-RID-B” notation on the regulatory label attached to the drone, as well as on the box.
Customers who already own DJI drones do not need to do anything right away. Existing drones are not required to comply with the FAA Remote ID regulations until September 16, 2023. When these drones are within compliance, DJI will provide a firmware update to bring the drone within compliance. Older models of DJI drones will be able to comply with Remote ID using a separate add-on module – further details of this module will be provided from DJI in the coming months.
