Getting to Know Your UAS
To help you fly safely and have fun with your drone, you should learn about all of its features and limitations. Before you fly your drone it is a good idea to read the manufacturer’s safety information to learn about:
Maximum altitude, weight, and flight distance
Automated features; what they do and how to use them
Battery duration, signal range, ways of checking battery strength and signal strength before and during flight
Connection Between the Control Station and the Drone
Loss of signal or “control link” is the most common cause of drone incidents, so it is important that you do not fly beyond your signal strength!
You can lose signal from interference or a weak connection
If you lose signal, you may lose control of the drone
Understand what will happen if you lose signal
For example, will it land or return to home?
Automated Features
A recreational flyer should know how their drone’s automated features work before using them. Many drones have automated features that will allow it to be programmed to fly a particular route, pattern, or aerobatic trick without any additional input needed from the person flying it.
Always remember, the person flying the drone is responsible for the drone at all times…even when using its automated features.
Do not rely on automated features to fly the drone for you without knowing what the drone will do!
Understand how to safely turn automated features on and off
Do not rely solely on automated features like geofencing or Global Positioning System (GPS) signals
Know when and how to take manual control of the drone
Some examples of risks from using automated features include:
Return to home: the drone may fly directly back to you and hit an obstacle in its way
Autoland: a drone may land straight down and could wind up in the trees, water, or power lines
Practice Flights
On your first flights, or when testing a new feature on your drone, go to an area with very few obstacles and no other people nearby. It is considered a best practice to fly in open, non-populated areas until you feel comfortable flying your drone along predictable flight paths.
Practicing flying your drone and becoming used to the automated features is one of the best ways to gain experience while minimizing the risk of hitting someone or something. All pilots, manned and unmanned, should spend considerable time practicing so that they are never surprised by something their aircraft does.
It is also a good idea to get some practice flights in if you haven’t flown your drone in a while because of the seasons or work/life commitments. Flying a drone is a skill, and all skills, if not practiced, diminish over time.
Remote ID
Are You Remote ID Ready?
Beginning September 16, 2023, all drone pilots required to register their drone must operate under the Remote Identification (ID) rule by operating:
A Standard Remote ID Drone – a drone produced with built-in Remote ID broadcast capabilities; or
A Drone with a Remote ID Broadcast Module – a device with Remote ID broadcast capabilities that can be attached to a drone; or
At an FAA-Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) – areas where drones without Remote ID broadcast capabilities can operate. Only FAA-recognized(opens in a new tab) community based organizations(opens in a new tab) and educational institutions(opens in a new tab) may request a FRIA through FAADroneZone.
If Your Drone or Broadcast Module Remote ID Ready?
Click on “View Public DOC List”
Filter by “RID”
Search for your drone or broadcast module
If your drone or broadcast module is NOT listed, you may only fly in a FRIA(opens in a new tab).
Is Your Drone Registration Remote ID Ready?
If your drone or broadcast module is listed on the Public DOC List, you need to register or update your existing drone registration through FAADroneZone(opens in a new tab) to include the Standard Remote ID drone or Remote ID broadcast module serial number. Recreational pilots may register once and apply that unique registration number to multiple aircraft. This allows a recreational pilot to move a Remote ID broadcast module from drone to drone as long as it is listed on the same registration. Part 107 pilots need to register each Standard Remote ID drone or Remote ID broadcast module separately, which means each one will get a unique registration number. Visit our Remote ID webpage(opens in a new tab) to learn more about drone registration.
Registration
All drones flown under the Exception for Recreational Flyers weighing more than 0.55lbs (250 grams) must be registered with the FAA. The FAA registration number is required to be displayed or “marked” on the outside surface of the drone.
If you are flying under the Exception for Recreational Flyers, you will be issued one registration number, which you can use for all drones you own and fly recreationally. For example, if you have a quad-copter and two remote controlled airplanes, you may use the same registration number on all three aircraft.
Registration costs $5, is valid for 3 years, and is available through the FAA’s DroneZone(opens in a new tab) website.
Documentation
If asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel, a recreational flyer must provide proof of drone registration and that they have completed this course. Both documents may be in paper or electronic format. Recreational flyers must also be able to explain which FAA-recognized CBO safety guidelines they are following
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