Drone Trust Section 4

Connection between the Control Station and the Drone

One of the most common causes of drone incidents is the loss of signal or "control link". To prevent this from happening, it is crucial that you do not fly your drone beyond the range of your signal strength. Keep in mind that signal loss can occur due to interference or a weak connection, and if this happens, you might lose control of your drone. Therefore, it is essential to understand what will happen to your drone in such a scenario. For instance, will it land, return to home, or crash? To ensure the safety of yourself, your drone, and others, plan ahead and decide what you will do if you lose signal.

Automated Features

As a recreational drone flyer, you should have a good knowledge of how your drone's automated features work before using them. Most drones come with automated features that allow them to fly a specific route, pattern, or aerobatic trick without requiring any additional input from the pilot. However, always remember that you are responsible for your drone, even when using its automated features. Therefore, you should never rely solely on the automated features to fly the drone without understanding what the drone will do.

To ensure safe drone flying, you should understand how to turn automated features on and off safely. You should not rely entirely on automated features such as geofencing or GPS signals. You also need to know when and how to take manual control of the drone.

Using automated features can pose some risks. For example, the drone may fly directly back to you and hit an obstacle in its way during a "return to home" feature. When using the "autoland" feature, the drone may land straight down and end up in the trees, water, or power lines. Additionally, the "follow me" feature can lead to the drone hitting obstacles or people near you. Therefore, it is essential to understand the risks associated with using automated features and take the necessary precautions to avoid accidents.

Practice Flights

When you are flying a drone for the first time, or trying out a new feature, it's best to go to an area with few obstacles and no people around. Flying in open, non-populated areas until you are comfortable flying your drone along predictable flight paths is considered a good practice.

Practicing flying your drone and becoming familiar with its automated features is one of the best ways to gain experience while minimizing the risk of hitting someone or something. All pilots, whether flying manned or unmanned aircraft, should spend considerable time practicing so that they are always prepared for any situation.

If you haven't flown your drone in a while due to seasonal changes or work/life commitments, it's a good idea to get some practice flights in. Flying a drone is a skill, and like any skill, it diminishes over time if not practiced regularly.

Remote Identification

Remote ID is like a digital license plate for drones. Drones that require registration must have Remote ID installed or fly within an FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Drones weighing 0.55 pounds or less and flown under the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations (Section 44809) do not need to be registered and if not registered, do not require Remote ID.

For drones that are registered, there are three ways to comply with the Remote ID rule:

1. Fly a standard Remote ID drone. As of September 16, 2022, manufacturers must equip any new drones for sale in the United States with standard Remote ID.

2. Fly a drone with a Remote ID broadcast module. If you have an older drone that does not have Remote ID, or made a drone yourself, then you can attach a Remote ID broadcast module to it.

3. Fly within an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). Drones without standard Remote ID or broadcast module may only be flown in an FRIA. FRIAs may be in controlled or uncontrolled airspace. FRIAs only permit you to fly without Remote ID; they are not an airspace authorization. FRIA applications are accepted only from FAA recognized CBOs and educational institutions and are approved through the FAADroneZone. FRIAs are published on the UAS Facility Maps.

To check if your drone or broadcast module is Remote ID compliant, use the FAA’s UAS Declaration of Compliance website. You can filter the list by clicking “RID”. For additional help, visit the FAA’s UAS Remote Identification website.

Documentation

Recreational drone flyers are obligated to present proof of their drone registration and completion of the related course, either in paper or electronic format, if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. Additionally, they must be able to describe the FAA-recognized CBO safety guidelines they are adhering to.

Registration

If you are flying a drone under the Exception for Recreational Flyers which weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams), it is mandatory that you register it with the FAA. You also need to include the serial number for the Remote Identification standard drone or broadcast module in the registration data. You can include this information with a new registration or update an existing registration. Furthermore, the FAA registration number must be displayed or "marked" on the drone's exterior surface.

If you register as a recreational flyer, you will be issued one registration number which can be used for all the drones that you own and fly recreationally, including the Remote Identification broadcast module. For instance, if you have a quadcopter and two remote-controlled airplanes, you can use the same registration number on all three aircraft. Moreover, you can remove and attach the broadcast module to any of your registered drones.

The registration fee is $5, and it is valid for three years. You can register your drone on the FAADroneZone website.

Multiple Choice

A recreational flyer should know how their drone will respond before using any automated functions.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

Before flying your drone for the first time, it is a good idea to

• notify the people you will fly over.

  
  

• read the manufacturer’s safety information.

• file a TFR.

Multiple Choice

If asked, what must a recreational flyer provide to law enforcement or the FAA?

• Proof of test passage.

• Proof of registration.

• All of the above

Multiple Choice

The FAA registration number is required to be displayed

• on the outside surface of the drone.

• inside a closed part of the drone.

  
  

• on the drone’s control station.

Multiple Choice

All drones weighing more than 0.55lbs (250 grams), must be registered with the FAA.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

All drones that must be registered must comply with the Remote ID rule.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

To comply with the Remote ID rule, which statement is correct:

• Remote ID does not apply in uncontrolled airspace.

• If a drone needs to be registered, it must have standard remote ID, a broadcast module, or a operate in a FRIA.

• All recreational drones are exempt from Remote ID.

Multiple Choice

Where can a homebuilt drone (weighing more than 0.55 pounds) without a Remote ID broadcast module fly recreationally?

• Uncontrolled airspace.

• Controlled airspace, with an airspace authorization.

• An FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA).