UA.I.F.K5: Confirmation of identification.

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

Who Must Comply and When

After September 16, 2023, you may not operate an unmanned aircraft in U.S. airspace unless the operation meets Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. requirements via a standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. UA or an approved alternative; this operating rule applies to aircraft registered or required to be registered under 14 CFRCode of Federal RegulationsCloseThe federal rulebook where Part 107, Part 89, Part 48, and other aviation rules live. parts 47 or 48, and to foreign civil UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. operated in the United States. Operations transmitting ADS-BAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-BroadcastCloseAircraft broadcast technology. Part 107 drones generally may not use ADS-B Out unless specifically authorized. Out under § 91.225 are excluded from Subpart B applicability, but ADS-BAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-BroadcastCloseAircraft broadcast technology. Part 107 drones generally may not use ADS-B Out unless specifically authorized. Out cannot be used to satisfy Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. itself (§ 89.125) ^[1][7]. For Part 107 pilots, most small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. that are registered or required to be registered must comply. The serial number of a standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. UA, or of an installed broadcast module, must be listed on the Certificate of Aircraft Registration. Broadcast modules can be moved between Part 107 aircraft, but the serial must also be moved on the registration before flight. Even small UASSmall Unmanned Aircraft SystemCloseA small drone plus the control and communication links used to operate it. not required to be registered (for example, those weighing 0.55 pounds or less) must comply with Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. when flown under any operating part that requires registration ^[2].

Remote ID Options and Message Elements

You can comply via:

• Standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. unmanned aircraft (§ 89.110) that broadcast the required message elements in § 89.305, or
• An unmanned aircraft equipped with a Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. broadcast module meeting § 89.320, broadcasting the elements in § 89.315 (§ 89.115) ^[3][4][5].

Standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. UA must broadcast: identity (a serial number assigned by the producer or a session ID), control station latitude/longitude and geometric altitude, UA latitude/longitude and geometric altitude, UA velocity, a UTC time mark, and an indication of emergency status (§ 89.305). Performance requirements include generating/encoding the control station location corresponding to the person manipulating the controls, synchronizing the time mark with all message elements, and preflight self-test/continuous monitoring of Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. functionality (§ 89.310) ^[3].

Broadcast modules must broadcast: the module serial number (as UA identity), UA latitude/longitude and geometric altitude, UA velocity, takeoff location latitude/longitude and geometric altitude, and a synchronized UTC time mark (§ 89.315). They must determine the takeoff location; synchronize the time mark with other elements; and conduct automatic preflight self-test with continuous monitoring, notifying the person manipulating the controls of results or any malfunction/failure (§ 89.320) ^[4].

Practical takeaway: Expect both solutions to transmit identity, position, altitude, velocity, and a synchronized time mark, but note the key differences—standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. transmits control station location and may use a session ID and emergency status; broadcast modules transmit takeoff location and use the module’s serial number as identity ^[3][4].

Operating With a Broadcast Module (Alternative Compliance)

If using a broadcast module (§ 89.115), all of the following must be met:

• Equipage: The UA 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 UA’s registration must include the module serial number, or the UA serial number must be provided to the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. in a notice of identification under § 89.130 before operation (§ 89.115(a)(1)) ^[5].
• Operating requirement: From takeoff to shutdown, ensure the module broadcasts the § 89.315 message elements directly from the aircraft (§ 89.115(a)(2)(i)) ^[5].
• Visual line of sight: The person manipulating the controls must be able to see the UA at all times throughout the operation (§ 89.115(a)(2)(ii)) ^[5].
• Preflight: The person manipulating the controls must ensure the module passes preflight checks before takeoff (§ 89.115(a)(3)) ^[5].

Remember: ADS-BAutomatic Dependent Surveillance-BroadcastCloseAircraft broadcast technology. Part 107 drones generally may not use ADS-B Out unless specifically authorized. Out is not a substitute for Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. (§ 89.125), and operations solely for aeronautical research or to show regulatory compliance may be authorized without Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. (§ 89.120) ^[7].

Confirmation of Identification (Foreign Operators) and Compliance Documentation

Confirmation of identification applies specifically to foreign-registered civil UASUnmanned Aircraft SystemCloseAn unmanned aircraft plus its control station, communication links, and supporting components. with Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. operating in U.S. airspace. Before operation, the operator must submit a notice of identification in a form and manner acceptable to the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.. The notice must include: operator name (and authorized representative, if applicable); physical address (and mailing address if mail is not received at the physical address); telephone number(s) reachable in the U.S.; email address; UA manufacturer and model; the UA or broadcast module serial number; and the country of registration (§ 89.130) ^[6]. Failure to submit this notice prior to flight is a violation that may be tested on the exam.

Producers play a role in your equipment’s compliance. A person responsible for production of a standard Remote IDRemote IdentificationCloseRemote ID broadcast requirements for most drones operating in U.S. airspace. UA or a broadcast module must submit a declaration of compliance to the FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes. for acceptance, including contact information, make/model, serial number range, FCCFederal Communications CommissionCloseThe U.S. agency that regulates radio spectrum and communications equipment. Identifier for Part 15-compliant RFRadio FrequencyCloseThe electromagnetic frequency range used for control links, communications, and broadcasts. equipment, the means of compliance used, and a declaration that the product meets § 89.310 (for standard UA) using an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted means of compliance (§ 89.530) ^[8]. As a pilot, verify your aircraft/module is listed under an FAAFederal Aviation AdministrationCloseThe U.S. aviation regulator responsible for Part 107 rules, airspace, and pilot certification processes.-accepted declaration of compliance when required.