This latest Remote ID announcement comes after lawmakers and UAS industry leaders have expressed frustration in the lack of progress on the Remote ID ruling. Earlier this year, The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs updated the release of the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to September 2019. The notice came after UAS Integration Office Executive Director Jay Merkle announced that the FAA would release its remote ID ruling for UAS in July 2019.
Recently, we learned a little more about the delay when U.S. Representative Scott Perry disclosed the details at a House aviation safety hearing. Perry made his thoughts known by saying the “FAA is failing to mitigate safety threats.” Perry also expressed the need for immediate action from the FAA.
According to a U.S. Transportation Department status update, the FAA plans to propose the regulation by September 20. Earlier this month, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Ranking Member Garret Graves (R-LA) sent a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao, expressing concerns with the delay
In their letter, the Members wrote: “…we believe failure to complete this effort poses serious risks to the National Airspace System, its users, and the Nation’s most critical and sensitive facilities and assets. Delays also stifle innovation, preventing the U.S. commercial UAS industry from reaching its full potential.” You can view the full letter here.
Remote ID for UAS will allow law enforcement, aviation authorities, and other security officials to search for a drone by a unique identifier and find out information about the pilot. Remote ID rules would go hand-in-hand with registration rules to prevent rogue drone flights around airports, stadiums, or prisons.
UAS industry experts view remote ID as the catalyst to the mass expansion of advanced commercial drone use. Without remote ID, many advanced applications such as flight over people, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and nighttime drone use will be limited. Remote ID will ensure safety and increase public trust in UAS technology as it involves.
Source: Reuters