The Federal Aviation Administration is dropping some new drone ID marking rules on drone pilots which you should be aware of. Previously drone ID marking could be done on the interior of your drone but no longer. The new drone ID marking rules now state you must display the FAA-issued registration number on an outside surface of the aircraft.
When the FAA started the requirement of drone registration back in 2015 they gave some leeway as to where the registration ID could be placed. So you could place the ID in an interior part of the drone that could still be accessed without the use of tools. The biggest part of the previous rule was that the ID is easily accessible and in readable condition. Now, it looks like these drone ID marking rules weren’t enough for the agency.
Subsequently, law enforcement officials and the FAA’s interagency security partners have expressed concerns about the risk a concealed explosive device might pose to first responders upon opening a compartment to find a drone’s registration number. The FAA believes this action will enhance safety and security by allowing a person to view the unique identifier directly without handling the drone.
This interim final rule does not change the original acceptable methods of external marking, nor does it specify a particular external surface on which the registration number must be placed. The requirement is that it can be seen upon visual inspection of the aircraft’s exterior.
The FAA has issued this requirement as an Interim Final Rule—a rule that takes effect while also inviting public comment. The FAA issues interim final rules when delaying implementation of the rule would be impractical, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest. In this case, the agency has determined the importance of mitigating the risk to first responders outweighs the minimal inconvenience this change may impose on small drone
Federal Aviation Administrationowners, and justifies implementation without a prior public comment period.
The FAA is going to consider comments on the matter from the public so you do have a chance to voice your thoughts. The 30-day comment period will end on March 15, 2019. To submit comments, go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for “RIN 2120-AL32.”
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Last Updated on February 3, 2021.
