FAA Expects to Issue Drone Remote ID NPRM in September

The FAA expects to publish an NPRM for drone remote identification by September (see 1805210045), more than a year after the original deadline for issuing a final rule, said Deputy Associate Administrator-Office of Security and Hazardous Materials Angela Stubblefield. Remote ID would allow authorities to identify unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) through device registration.

2016's FAA Reauthorization Act directed the agency to develop standards and issue final regulations for remote ID by July 2018. During a Senate Security Subcommittee hearing, Stubblefield largely blamed the delay on the agency lacking authority over recreational drone users, which she said complicated the rulemaking process. The agency regained that authority in October and is moving with “all due haste,” she said.

“I’m at a little bit of a loss,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., citing the need for black box standards. Ranking member Ed Markey, D-Mass., also expressed frustration, saying a final rule appears nowhere in sight. Tuesday’s hearing was to set the stage for the challenges and opportunities the industry faces, Chairman Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, told us. Drones have “enormous potential,” he said.

Drafting a remote ID rule is “perhaps one of the most important UAS efforts underway at FAA,” Stubblefield said. It will “facilitate what we envision as high volume, safe, and secure low-altitude UAS operations,” she said.

A remote ID rule is the “linchpin needed to advance the UAS industry beyond what is currently possible,” testified Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International CEO Brian Wynne. He said industry is “refining those standards and looking for ways to voluntarily provide remote ID on a tactical basis for certain situations.”

Such identification would significantly increase safety and standards, testified Catherine Cahill, director of the Alaska Center for UAS Integration at University of Alaska-Fairbanks. It will allow authorities to identify unsanctioned devices, and help operators avoid collisions, she said.

The U.S. needs to ensure Chinese drone materials aren’t being used to undermine American interests, Sullivan said. Markey and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., also raised concerns about Chinese technology, with the latter asking if the U.S. should outlaw sale of Chinese equipment. It’s a lot like the current debate about allowing Huawei equipment to be used in U.S. 5G networks, testified Harry Wingo, National Defense University Cyber Security Department chair. China isn't America’s “friend,” Scott said, accusing it of stealing trade secrets and closing Chinese markets to U.S. trade.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, noted federal agencies have primary jurisdiction to respond to drone emergencies, and that's a problem. State and local authorities should have the ability to address issues that federal agencies can’t respond to, he said. Stubblefield agreed. Drone integration isn’t possible without state and local integration, Lee said. Stubblefield cited a need for a “robust framework.”