How FAA’s Remote ID NPRM would Eliminate Industrial and Enterprise Drone Jobs

Under the current proposed Remote ID rules, the drone industry might be facing hurricane like headwinds that may end up cutting many drone jobs.

With many drone companies now realizing the industry killing regulations are almost here, drone businesses started scrambling to get pilots, executives and management to comment on the FAA’s Remote ID NPRM. Without many efficient ways of fighting the proposed regulations, all companies and individuals are left to comment in hopes of making a difference.

(Drone U created a comment guide to help showcase the largest problems and potential solutions. Download it here:) 

During a recent episode of Ask Drone U, I was interviewing an American drone manufacturer about how the proposed remote ID rules might affect his business. His first response was rather devoid of fear or any negative consequences to his business from Remote ID. This manufacturer specializes in producing reliable and consistent heavy-lift aircraft.

These heavy lift aircraft service the following industries as the birds are able to transport a heavier payload:

• Film Industry: aircraft carries very heavy film and cinema cameras like the Arri mini.
• Oil & Gas Industry: aircraft carriers larger LiDAR and gas imagers for leak detection
• Secure Infrastructure: Aircraft carriers LiDAR to map erosion, railways, runoff and reclamation in sensitive areas.
• Hydroelectric Dams: Aircraft carries multiple sensors for dam inspection and crack detection

These heavy lift aircraft typically operate in sensitive areas including critical infrastructure, secure sites and even rural areas without cellular data.

Why Would the Remote ID NPRM Cause such a Large problem for these Heavy Lift Manufacturers and their Drone Pilots?

The proposed remote ID requires some form of internet connectivity.
Most critical infrastructure pilots, flying in secure areas CANNOT BE CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET.

1. RID requires internet
2. Secure areas cannot be connected to the internet for fear of data leaks
3. 
   1 + 2 = 0 drone jobs.

If these industrial drone pilots have to fly in secure areas, or critical infrastructure without internet connectivity due to security regulations…. they won’t be able to fly drones that require internet connectivity.

So, some of the most technical high-paying drone jobs could disappear with the implementation of remote ID.

While most film sets are not technically secure areas, they often require you to remove cellular devices due to the risk of information being leaked about the film. While the security issue may not pose as big of a risk for drone pilots in film, the necessity for internet connected drones may squash the ability to use drones with sets that don’t have great internet service.

Is the movie industry really prepared to make drone flying more expensive and difficult to pull off? Drones were widely adopted on set due to the efficiency gains that are given. The crews are substantially cheaper and can offer a wider variety of services than other methodologies of filming.

What can we do?

YOU HAVE GOT TO COMMENT ON REMOTE ID. Comment 9 times for all I care, cats have that many lives… you should be able to make multiple good well-thought-out points as well!

Thank you for sharing the article to save the dream of flight.

Paul Aitken, aka “Taitkenflight.”

Become a Drone U Member.

Do not forget to subscribe and listen to Ask Drone U, the #1 drone podcast on iTunes!