UAS Would Be A ‘Proof-Of-Concept’ Exercise Before Rolling It Out For The Entire Industry

Aero-News April 1 Special Edition

The FAA is considering a requirement for all aircraft to be equipped with Remote ID technology as an extension of ADS-B.

A source within the agency not authorized to speak to the media told Aero-News that an ARC has been quietly working on the proposal for several months. “The Remote ID concept for drones got us thinking that it would be a good idea to have similar technology on every aircraft,” the source said. “When you think about it, it’s not that much of a stretch. You can ask Siri right now to show you the airplanes that are flying near your location, and you can get a list of those aircraft, along with their airline affiliation and “N” numbers, as well as how far they are away from you. It makes sense that you should be able to see other information about those aircraft, including who might be flying them.”

Aero-News reached out to multiple stakeholders for reaction to the idea. “It’s about time,” said Chad Budreau, Executive Director of the AMA. “If they’re going to be that restrictive of small unmanned aircraft, including model airplanes, then the big boys should feel the same pain. We’ll be submitting comments fully in support of the idea should it be published in the Federal Register.”

But NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen was less enthusiastic. “We fought this fight about BARR,” Bolen said. “This is a clear invasion of privacy for our members who do not want the government keeping tabs on their every flight. ADS-B is invasive enough. We’ll fight this one too.”

EAA Chairman Jack Pelton just let out an audible sigh. “Really,” he said. “Another expense for aircraft owners after they’ve shelled out large amounts of cash to equip for ADS-B. Unbelievable.”

AEA president and CEO Mike Adamson said the idea has merit, particularly if it meant another surge of business for the association’s member companies. “I don’t think this will cost that much, and our shops and manufacturers are going to be looking for something to pick up the slack after the ADS-B rush. Still, many of the people who own those companies will likely see this as another example of government overreach. We’ll study if carefully should it become a reality.”

The FAA source said that the idea is still in its early discussion phases, and no timeline has been established for a possible NPRM.

FMI: www.faa.gov