The FAA (Federal Civil Aviation Authority) and several other American agencies recommended on Thursday, December 26, 2019 that all recreational drones weighing more than 250 grams must carry an “electronic plate”. It should have the ability to uniquely identify these drones remotely and in real time, based on a network of independent administrators. The FAA has released a 319-page document detailing exactly how the system should work and the obligations of drone owners.
Document that may have the force of law after a 60-day evaluation period – during which anyone involved or affected by the measure (pilots, enthusiasts, air safety experts, etc.) can submit comments. The use of recreational drones in the United States is advancing rapidly, raising its own share of problems: hazardous use near airports or stadiums, malicious activities, drug transport… time to prepare for the intensification of their use.
The regulator is also preparing for the explosion of commercial use of drones.
Companies like Amazon, UPS or Pizza Hut have already announced their intentions to develop delivery with drones – and so this new identification system should regulate the use of these drones and allow authorities to more easily navigate and better coordinate their use. an airspace used, among others, by aircraft. Brendan Schulman, vice president of DJI, one of the leading drone manufacturers on the market, hastened to point out that it has had a remote identification technology called AeroScope for two years.
While emphasizing that “Remote identification won’t succeed if it’s cumbersome. [administratives] and costs for drone operators are not minimized”. If these new rules come into effect (they are on their way to doing so), it could perhaps affect legislators in other countries, including France. In fact, at the moment such registration is only available in France for professional devices weighing more than 800 grams and their use is subject to a license.
Source : TechCrunch
