Executive Summary Final Rule On Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft (Part 89) December 28, 2020
Executive Summary Final Rule On Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft (Part 89) December 28, 2020
Final Rule on
Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft (Part 89)
December 28, 2020
The Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Final Rule is the next incremental step towards
further integration of Unmanned Aircraft (UA) in the National Airspace System. In its most basic
form, remote identification can be described as a “digital license plate” for UA. Remote ID is
necessary to address aviation safety and security issues regarding UA operations in the National
Airspace System, and is an essential building block toward safely allowing more complex UA
operations.
The final rule establishes a new Part 89 in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The final
rule has been sent to the Office of the Federal Register and will become effective 60 days after the
publication date in the Federal Register. Publication is expected in January 2021. Compliance
timeframes and major provisions are summarized below.
Operating Rules
Under the final rule, all UA required to register must remotely identify, and operators have three
options (described below) to satisfy this requirement. For UA weighing 0.55 lbs or less, remote
identification is only required if the UA is operated under rules that require registration, such as
part 107. Operational rules take effect 30 months after the effective date of the rule.