356 FAA Final Rules: Remote ID and Flight Over People

The FAA has issued final rules for small unmanned aircraft remote ID and flight over people. Those are important steps in integrating UAS into the National Airspace System. This episode provides summaries of the rules and describes how they are different from the previously proposed rules.Final Rule on Remote ID of Unmanned AircraftThere are three options for unmanned aircraft (UA): Standard Remote ID with broadcast directly from the UA, a Remote ID Broadcast Module as a separate broadcast device on the UA, and FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA) where UAs without Remote ID can fly.Option 1: Standard Remote IDBroadcasts remote ID messages directly from the UA via radio frequency broadcast (likely Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology)The broadcast will be compatible with existing personal wireless devices.Standard Remote ID message includes:UA ID (serial number of UA or session ID);Latitude/longitude, altitude, and velocity of UA;Latitude/longitude and altitude of the Control Station; Emergency status; A time mark.Remote ID message will be available to most personal wireless devices within range of the broadcastHowever, correlating the serial number or session ID with the registration database will be limited to the FAA and can be made available to authorized law enforcement and national security personnel upon request.The range of the remote ID broadcast may vary, as each UA must be designed to maximize the range at which the broadcast can be received.Option 2: UA w/ Remote ID Broadcast ModuleBroadcast Module may be a separate device that is attached to an unmanned aircraft, or a feature built into the aircraft.Enables retrofit for existing UA, and Broadcast Module serial number must be entered into the registration record for the unmanned aircraft.Broadcast Module Remote ID message includes:Serial number of the module;Latitude/longitude, altitude, and velocity of UA;Latitude/longitude and altitude of the take-off location, and time mark.UA remotely identifying with a Broadcast Module must be operated within visual line of sight at all times.Broadcast Module to broadcast via radio frequency (likely Wi-Fi or Bluetooth technology).Compatibility with personal wireless devices and range of the Remote ID Broadcast Module message similar to Standard Remote ID UA.Option 3: FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIA)Geographic areas recognized by the FAA where unmanned aircraft not equipped with Remote ID are allowed to fly.Organizations eligible to apply for the establishment of an FRIA include community-based organizations recognized by the Administrator, primary and secondary educational institutions, trade schools, colleges, and universities.Must operate within visual line of sight and only within the boundaries of an FRIA.The FAA will begin accepting applications for FRIAs 18 months after the effective date of the rule, and applications may be submitted at any time after that.FRIA authorizations will be valid for 48 months, may be renewed, and may be terminated by the FAA for safety or security reasons.  Design and Production Rules for ManufacturersMost unmanned aircraft must be produced as Standard Remote ID Unmanned Aircraft and meet the requirements of this rule beginning 18 months after the effective date of the rule.Remote ID Broadcast modules must be produced to meet the requirements of the rule before they can be used.The final rule establishes minimum performance requirements describing the desired outcomes, goals, and results for remote identification without establishing a specific means or process.A person designing or producing a standard UA or broadcast module must show that the UA or broadcast module met the performance requirements of the rule by following an FAA-accepted means of compliance.Under the rule, anyone can create a means of compliance. However, the FAA must accept that means of compliance before it can be used for the design or production of any standard remote identification UA or remote identification broadcast module.FAA encourages consensus standards bodies to develop means of compliance and submit them to the FAA for acceptance.Highlights of Standard Remote ID UA Performance Requirements:UA must self-test so UA cannot takeoff if Remote ID is not functioningRemote ID cannot be disabled by the operatorRemote ID Broadcast must be sent over unlicensed Radio Frequency spectrum (receivable by personal wireless devices, ex: Wi-Fi or Bluetooth)Standard Remote ID UA and Remote ID Broadcast Modules must be designed to maximize the range at which the broadcast can be received.  Other Provisions in the Remote ID Final RuleNo Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) Out or Air Traffic Control (ATC) TranspondersHowever, ADS-B Out & ATC transponder authorization is likely for large UAS operating in controlled airspace.Operators can seek special authorization to operate UA without remote identification for the purpose of aeronautical research or to show compliance with regulations.UA registered in a foreign country can be operated in the United States only if the operator files a notice of identification with the FAA.Major Changes from Proposed Rule to Final Remote ID RuleNetwork-based / Internet transmission requirements have been eliminated. The final rule contains Broadcast-only requirements. UAS operators under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations may continue to register with the FAA once, rather than registering each aircraft. However, each Standard UA or Broadcast Module serial number must also be entered into the registration record for the unmanned aircraft.“Limited Remote ID UAS” has been eliminated and replaced with Remote ID Broadcast Module requirements to enable existing UA to comply. FRIA (FAA-Recognized Identification Area) applications may be submitted to the FAA beginning 18 months after the effective date of the rule, and applications may be submitted at any time after that.Educational institutions may now apply for FRIAs as well as community-based organizations.Final Rule on Operation of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Over PeopleThe final rule allows routine operations over people and routine operations at night under certain circumstances. The rule will eliminate the need for those operations to receive individual Part 107 waivers from the FAA.The final rule establishes four new categories of small unmanned aircraft for routine operations over people. It also allows for routine operations over moving vehicles.Category 1Eligible small unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 0.55 pounds and contain no exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin.Operations over people:No exposed rotating parts that would lacerate human skin.Operation prohibited in sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets the requirements for standard remote identification or remote identification broadcast modules established in the Remote ID Final Rule.Category 2Eligible small unmanned aircraft must not cause injury to a human being that is equivalent to or greater than the severity of injury caused by a transfer of 11 foot-pounds of kinetic energy upon impact from a rigid object, Does not contain any exposed rotating parts that could lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being, Does not contain any safety defects. Requires FAA-accepted means of compliance and FAA-accepted declaration of compliance.Operations over people:No operation in sustained flight over open-air assemblies unless the operation meets the requirements for standard remote identification or remote identification broadcast modules established in the Remote ID Final Rule.Requires means of compliance and declaration of compliance by the applicant.Category 3 Eligible small unmanned aircraft must not cause injury to a human being that is equivalent to or greater than the severity of injury caused by a transfer of 25 foot-pounds of kinetic energy upon impact from a rigid object, Does not contain any exposed rotating parts that could lacerate human skin upon impact with a human being, Does not contain any safety defects. Requires FAA-accepted means of compliance and FAA-accepted declaration of compliance.Operations over people:No operation over open-air assemblies of human beings.May only operate if one of the following conditions met:The operation is within or over a closed- or restricted-access site and all human beings located within the site must be on notice that a small unmanned aircraft may fly over themThe UA does not maintain sustained flight over any human being unless that human being is directly participating in the operation of the small UA; or located under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle that can provide reasonable protection from a falling small unmanned aircraft.Category 4 Eligible small unmanned aircraft must have an airworthiness certificate issued under Part 21 of FAA regulations. Must be operated in accordance with the operating limitations specified in the approved Flight...