Welcome to Cliff's Drone Repair!

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   So my drone flying friends, are you ready for Remote ID?  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated that all drones over 250 grams must broadcast their location, altitude and other data constantly while in the air.  The mandate is known as Remote Identification (ID).  There are similar requirements in Europe and Asia.  The Drone tag website, is a Czech website (in English), so it covers the European regulatory market but it also has a very good description of North American requirements.

   There are three operating modes in the FAA requirement;

• Standard Remote ID
• Broadcast Remote ID, and 
• the misnomer FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).

A FRIA  is an area in the Class G airspace that has been recognized by the FAA to allow drones to operate without Remote ID.  The FAA Drone Zone website has a list but you might find a more accessible list on the AMA (Academy of Model Aeronautics) website.  Incidentally, an AMA membership is highly recommended, especially if you want to fly in one of their FRIAs.

   Standard Remote ID is a manufacturer including an FAA-certified remote ID module in their drone.  So you may already be compliant.  Check with your drone supplier as enabling the module may require a firmware update.  If you don't have contact information for your drone 's manufacturer then call me.  I keep a list of manufacturers and drone models that have Standard Remote ID.  It would probably be faster than searching the FAA Drone Zone.

  The last mode, Broadcast Remote ID, is an add-on module for drones that don't include a Standard Remote ID module.  I can help you with that as well.  There are dozens of modules available that vary greatly in cost and specification.  Prices range from $20 to over $400.  Installation cost is usually an hours worth of labor.  If you tell me your drone's make and model then I can tell you what modules are available.  That will give you a better idea of cost.  Keep in mind that it might simply be most cost effective to upgrade to a new drone.

   I am here to help, just give a call to (267) 410-9493.

--Cliff