By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as of January 2023, there were more than 871,000 registered drones in the United States, with more than 307,000 certified Remote Pilots flying those drones. This month, the FAA was set to update drone regulations under a new Remote ID rule. Rachel Mawhirter and staff at Marketing Maven Consulting often use drones in their line of work. The FAA is now giving pilots until March 2024 to comply, and Mawhirter said the new rules will impact virtually anyone who flies a drone.
"The FAA has always regulated commercial drone pilots, meaning people who fly drones for agricultural imaging, videography and photography, shipment deliveries, anything like that," she said. "The FAA and other government agencies are now implementing new regulations that also regulate drone pilots who are hobbyists or just using it for fun."
A promotional video about the new rules released by the FAA likens Remote ID to a digital license plate for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The goal is to ensure all drones are being operated in a safe manner in authorized areas. The new rules require the drones to broadcast information like location, altitude, and takeoff location from takeoff to shut down. Public safety officials may then request that information from the FAA. Unauthorized pilots will not be able to fly a drone.
"Everyone who owns and operates a drone for any reason, whether it's professional or personal, has to do a couple of things," Mawhirter said. "They have to register their drone with the FAA, which has always been advised. When you buy a drone it prompts you to do that but you could skip it. Now, you won't be able to skip that part. It also requires you to complete an assessment about flying skills and FAA rules."
Failure to comply with the new rules could result in revocation of a pilot's license and a civil penalty up to $27,500. Mawhirter said those who depend on drone technology should be ready for the changes in advance.
"For us as a business, we're gearing up and getting prepared by having all of our pilots already go through all these things and making sure we're situated before that happens," she said. "But for even hobby drone pilots or people who use them as students, it's going to be really important that they're ahead of the game so they're not unable to use their drone once those changes take effect."
Read more about Remote ID from the FAA's website by CLICKING HERE or HERE.