UA.I.F.K4: ADS-B Out.

ACS Area I — Regulations Task F: Remote Identification (RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace.) References: 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 89; ACAdvisory CircularCloseFAA guidance that explains acceptable ways to comply with rules or understand FAA procedures. 107-2; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-H-8083-25; FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-G-8082-22

Key Concepts

Applicability, Registration, and the ADS-B Out Relationship

Remote Identification (RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace.) is required for most small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. operations after September 16, 2023. No person may operate an unmanned aircraft in U.S. airspace unless the operation meets § 89.110 (standard RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components.) or § 89.115 (alternative RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace.) ^[3]. Part 89 applies to persons operating unmanned aircraft registered or required to be registered, with a narrow exception: Subpart B does not apply to unmanned aircraft operations conducted under part 91 that are transmitting ADS-BAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-BroadcastCloseAircraft broadcast technology. Part 107 drones generally may not use ADS-B Out unless specifically authorized. Out pursuant to § 91.225. For typical part 107 operations, this exception does not apply—RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. compliance is required ^[3].

RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. ties directly to registration. The serial number of a standard RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. unmanned aircraft, or of the RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcast module if installed, must be listed on the Certificate of Aircraft Registration and may only be listed on one certificate at a time. If you move a broadcast module to another part 107 aircraft, you must also move that module’s serial number to the new aircraft’s registration before flight. Aircraft 0.55 pounds or less, which are not required to be registered under part 48, must still comply with RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. when operated under any operating part for which registration is required ^[2].

Compliance Paths: Standard RID vs. Broadcast Module

Compliance can be achieved in two main ways:

• Standard RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. unmanned aircraft (§ 89.110). These aircraft broadcast a message set that includes the aircraft’s identity (serial number or a session ID), the control station’s latitude/longitude and geometric altitude, the unmanned aircraft’s latitude/longitude, geometric altitude, and velocity, a UTC time mark, and the aircraft’s emergency status. The control station location encoded must correspond to the person manipulating the flight controls, and the time mark must be synchronized with all other message elements. The aircraft must conduct self-testing prior to takeoff and monitor RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. functionality during flight ^[4].

• Alternative RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. (§ 89.115). One pathway is to use a Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcast module. The unmanned aircraft must be equipped with a broadcast module that meets § 89.320 and is listed on an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted declaration of compliance; the aircraft’s registration must include the module’s serial number (or the aircraft serial number must be provided via notice of identification before operation). From takeoff to shutdown, the operator must ensure the module broadcasts the required message elements, and the person manipulating the controls must be able to see the unmanned aircraft at all times throughout the operation. Preflight, the operator must ensure the module is functioning ^[7].

Broadcast module message elements include the module-assigned serial number (identity), the unmanned aircraft’s latitude/longitude, geometric altitude, and velocity, the takeoff location’s latitude/longitude and geometric altitude, and a synchronized UTC time mark. Performance requirements include the ability to determine takeoff location; preflight self-test with notification of results; continuous monitoring with malfunction notification; and tamper resistance ^[1].

Practical implications:

• Standard RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcasts the control station’s location and may use a session ID; a broadcast module broadcasts the takeoff location and uses the module’s serial number as identity. Know which data fields each system transmits for test questions ^[4][1].
• With a broadcast module, maintaining visual line of sight is an explicit operating condition under § 89.115(a)(2)(ii) ^[7].

Production and Documentation: Means of Compliance and Declarations

After April 21, 2021, no person may produce RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcast modules unless they are designed and produced to meet § 89.320 using an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted means of compliance. Producers must allow FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. inspections, conduct recurring independent audits, notify the public and FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. within 15 calendar days of any defect that causes noncompliance, and provide instructions to support compliance ^[5].

Producers of standard RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. aircraft and broadcast modules must submit a Declaration of Compliance (DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories.) for FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. acceptance. Required DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. information includes producer contact details; make/model; serial number or range; the FCCFederal Communications CommissionCloseThe U.S. agency that regulates radio spectrum and communications equipment. Identifier of the 47 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. part 15-compliant radio frequency equipment used and integrated; the means of compliance; and declarations that the design and production meet § 89.310 (for standard RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. aircraft) and other applicable requirements. The DoCDeclaration of ComplianceCloseManufacturer compliance document that matters for some Operations Over People categories. must state that part 15-compliant RFRadio FrequencyCloseThe electromagnetic frequency range used for control links, communications, and broadcasts. equipment is used and integrated without modification ^[6].

Operational responsibility rests with the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation.. As the final authority for safe operation, the remote PICRemote Pilot in CommandCloseThe certificated remote pilot responsible for the Part 107 operation. must ensure the aircraft is properly registered, the correct RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. serial number appears on the Certificate of Aircraft Registration when required, and the RIDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. system is functioning before and during flight ^[8][2].