Direct Remote Identification

In plain language

You must upload your operator registration number into the drone's system before flight. The drone will broadcast this and its live position during flight.

Requirement as structured

Unless tethered, a class C2 UAS must have a direct remote identification system that broadcasts operator registration, serial number, position, course, speed, and pilot position in real time.

Original regulatory text

(6) be designed and constructed in such a way as to minimise injury to people during operation, sharp edges shall be avoided, unless technically unavoidable under good design and manufacturing practice. If equipped with propellers, it shall be designed in such a way as to limit any injury that may be inflicted by the propeller blades; (7) unless tethered, in case of a loss of data link, have a reliable and predictable method for the UA to recover the data link or terminate the flight in a way that reduces the effect on third parties in the air or on the ground; (8) unless tethered, be equipped with a data link protected against unauthorised access to the command and control functions; (9) unless it is a fixed-wing UA, be equipped with a low-speed mode selectable by the remote pilot and limiting the maximum cruising speed to no more than 3 m/s. (10) unless it is a fixed-wing UA, have a guaranteed A-weighted sound power level L WA determined as per Part 13 not exceeding the levels established in Part 15; (11) unless it is a fixed-wing UA, have the indication of the guaranteed A-weighted sound power level affixed on the UA and/or its packaging as per Part 14; (12) be powered by electricity and have a nominal voltage not exceeding 48 V DC or the equivalent AC voltage; its accessible parts shall not exceed 48 V DC or the equivalent AC voltage; internal voltages shall not exceed 48 V DC or the equivalent AC voltage unless it is ensured that the voltage and current combination generated does not lead to any risk or harmful electric shock even when the UAS is damaged; (13) have a unique physical serial number compliant with standard ANSI/CTA-2063 Small Unmanned Aerial Systems Serial Numbers; (14) unless tethered, have a direct remote identification that: (a) allows the upload of the UAS operator registration number in accordance with Article 14 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 and exclusively following the process provided by the registration system; (b) ensures, in real time during the whole duration of the flight, the direct periodic broadcast from the UA using an open and documented transmission protocol, of the following data, in a way that they can be received directly by existing mobile devices within the broadcasting range: i the UAS operator registration number; ii the unique physical serial number of the UA compliant with standard ANSI/CTA-2063; iii the geographical position of the UA and its height above the surface or take-off point; iv the route course measured clockwise from true north and ground speed of the UA; and v the geographical position of the remote pilot; (c) ensures that the user cannot modify the data mentioned under paragraph (b) points ii, iii, iv and v; (15) be equipped with a geo-awareness function that provides: (a) an interface to load and update data containing information on airspace limitations related to UA position and altitude imposed by the geographical zones, as defined by Article 15 of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947, which ensures that the process of loading or updating of this data does not degrade its integrity and validity; (b) a warning alert to the remote pilot when a potential breach of airspace limitations is detected; and (c) information to the remote pilot on the UA's status as well as a warning alert when its positioning or navigation cannot ensure the proper functioning of the geo-awareness system; (16) if the UA has a function that limits its access to certain airspace areas or volumes, this function shall operate in such a manner that it interacts smoothly with the flight control system of the UA without adversely affecting flight safety; in addition, clear information shall be provided to the remote pilot when this function prevents the UA from entering these airspace areas or volumes; (17) provide the remote pilot with clear warning when the battery of the UA or its control station reaches a low level such that the remote pilot has sufficient time to safely land the UA; (18) be equipped with lights for the purpose of: (1) controllability of the UA; (2) conspicuity of the UA at night, the design of the lights shall allow a person on the ground to distinguish the UA from manned aircraft; (19) be placed on the market with a user's manual providing: (a) the characteristics of the UA including but not limited to the: - class of the UA; - UA mass (with a description of the reference configuration) and the maximum take-off mass (MTOM); - general characteristics of allowed payloads in terms of mass dimensions, interfaces with the UA and other possible restrictions; - equipment and software to control the UA remotely; - reference of the transmission protocol used for the direct remote identification emission; - sound power level; - and a description of the behaviour of the UA in case of a loss of data link; (b) clear operational instructions; (c) procedure to upload the airspace limitations; (d) maintenance instructions; (e) troubleshooting procedures; (f) operational limitations (including but not limited to meteorological conditions and day/night operations); and (g) appropriate description of all the risks related to UAS operations;

Applies when

class marking

C2

regulatory category

Open