Drone Advisory Council calls for deferred SRID enforcement for mid-sized manufacturers

The Drone Advisory Council (DAC) has published a paper on standard Remote ID implementation for smaller and mid-size manufacturers. The paper includes a set of recommendations and the DAC is seeking comment on how these might be revised in order to benefit drone manufacturers, particularly those based in the United States. 

The paper, Standard Remote ID for Mid-Size Drone Manufacturers: Strategies for Compliance and Innovation, is the result of a comprehensive tasking process initiated in late 2023, aimed at addressing the significant challenges faced by small to mid-size drone manufacturers in complying with the US Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Standard Remote ID (SRID) requirements.

Over the past several months, the DAC has engaged with industry experts, including those with extensive experience in ASTM Remote ID working groups, to conduct in-depth studies and gather critical insights. This collaborative effort has led to the development of the recommendations, which include a request to the FAA to defer enforcement of SRID non-compliance for up to two years for those manufacturers who demonstrate they are pursuing plans to achieve compliance. Under the deferment, in the first year, a manufacturer must communicate their plans to the FAA and in the second year, the manufacturer integrates the SRID technology into their aircraft.

The DAC says current SRID regulations have a disproportionate impact on smaller manufacturers, who may lack the resources and technical expertise to develop compliant solutions. The paper presents actionable strategies for creating a more equitable compliance framework. As well as the call for deferred enforcement, the DAC recommends the use of interim solutions and the provision of clearer FAA guidance tailored to the needs of small and mid-size companies.

“We are calling for feedback and comments from the broader industry to ensure our recommendations are as comprehensive and effective as possible,” said Dave Messina, CEO of FPV Freedom Coalition and Executive Council Member of the DAC. “The input from additional voices will be crucial in refining these strategies to best support the industry while preserving the intent of Remote ID.”