Update: 09/17/23
Orders are expected to ship to customers beginning September 26, 2023.
I have received a limited number of Dronetag beacons. The beacons will ship out in the following order:
- Prepaid orders ship first
- Purchase orders
- Preorders, not paid: Customers who asked to be put on a waitlist will be contacted to confirm their order.
Update: 09/13/2023
FAA Extends Remote ID Enforcement Date Six Months
In a press release dated September 13, 2023 the FAA cites unanticipated issues that some operators are experiencing finding some remote identification broadcast modules. Drone pilots will now be given until March 16, 2023 to comply with the new regulation.
New regulations which were scheduled to go into effect on September 16, 2023 have now been delayed to March 16, 2024. These regulations require that any drone or model aircraft that weighs more than 250 grams, broadcast an identifying signal. Most newer drones have this capability built-in but many popular (and expensive) drones that are still in use today do not. Model airplanes and other radio controlled aircraft, unless otherwise stated do not have the remote ID capability built in. The FAA says that it is your responsibility to make sure that the remote aircraft you are flying complies with the new regulation. If your drone does not have remote ID capability, FAA regulations prohibit you from flying it in US airspace. There is one exception. You could fly at an FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA). This would be an FAA approved flying field (like a model airplane club) but that is not why people buy drones with high resolution cameras.
Read more about the regulations here:
Many people have lots of money invested in drone equipment and are unwilling to retire a perfectly good drone because it does meet these legal requirements. Fortunately there is an alternative. You can comply with the new regulation by attaching an external broadcast beacon. As long as the beacon is one that has been approved by the FAA, you can continue to use your drone until you choose to retire it.
Titletown Drones is an authorized reseller for the dronetag beacon, a small add-on device that will help you comply with the latest remote ID standards. This will allow you to upgrade your existing drone as an alternative to purchasing a new one.
Why dronetag? Are there other options available?
Many of my customers have been asking me to offer the remote ID modules. This process involves the identification of a suitable product and determining if the manufacturer is reputable. I must apply and be accepted as an authorized reseller or dealer for them. This process can take several months.
I have been conducting research to determine the best, and easiest way for my customers to comply with the new FAA regulations. I’d love to sell you a new drone but frankly many of you have older equipment that has been well maintained and still works fine. If this is you, the module is a great alternative. There are only a few manufacturers of the remote ID modules that have been approved by the FAA. Some of the products I reviewed are large and clunky. Some had unnecessarily complicated configuration and setup. I settled on the dronetag beacon for the following reasons:
- Lightweight: It only weighs 16 grams and should not adversely affect the flight characteristics of your drone.
- Ease of use and setup: dronetag seems to have the most polished app and setup making it very simple for you to use.
- Internal power source: The internal battery is expected to last 8-16 hours. This is more than enough for most drone flight operations.
- Cost: Its not the cheapest but I think its the best for the money.
Simply attach the dronetag beacon to your drone with the included double-sided adhesive and instantly add remote ID capability. This tiny device transmits the drone’s location via Bluetooth to up to a 3 km (1.86 miles) away. Dronetag offers an easy to use app available on the iOS and Android store. The drone tag is detectable with the use of a smart phone.
How do I know if my drone is remote ID compliant?
Drone manufacturers are required to submit a declaration of compliance to the FAA. If the FAA approves the drone is added to the list of compliant devices.
Here is a list of popular drones that ARE compliant:
- Autel EVO Lite+
- Autel EVO Lite
- EVO Max 4T and 4N
- Autel EVO Nano
- Autel EVO 2 series (Version 3)
- Autel Dragonfish
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro
- DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine
- DJI Inspire 3
- DJI M300 RTK
- DJI M350 RTK
- DJI Air 2S
- DJI Mavic 3
- DJI Mavic 3 Classic
- DJI Mavic 3 Cine
- DJI Avata
- DJI Mini 3
- DJI Mini 3 Pro
- DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise
- DJI Mavic 3 Thermal
- DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral
- DJI Matrice 30
- DJI M30 Dock Version
- DJI Matrice 30 Thermal
- DJI M30T Dock Version
- DJI Agras T40
- DJI Agras T30
Drones which are not currently compliant but the manufacturer is seeking FAA approval.
*Note: Any drone or beacon is not compliant until it is approved by the FAA
- DJI Air 2 (firmware available by December 31, 2023)
- DJI FPV Drone (firmware available by December 31, 2023)
- DJI Mavic 2 Pro (firmware available by December 31, 2023)
- DJI Mavic 2 Zoom (firmware available by December 31, 2023)
- DJI Phantom 4 (Firmware available by Dec 31, 2023)
Source: DJI statement dated 07-01-23
Here are a few popular drones that are still in use today that are not compliant with the new regulations. If you own one of these drone you would need to purchase a module to comply with the new regulations:
Noncompliant drones (If you own one of these you will need a module)
- Autel Evo 2 versions 1 and 2
- DJI Matrice 100
- DJI Matrice 200
- DJI Phantom series (includes the original Phantom 1, 2, 3)
- DJI Mavic Pro and Mavic Platinum
- DJI Spark
- DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise versions (Dual, Advanced)
- DJI Air
- DJI Inspire 1 and 2
- DJI Mini (remote ID not required for recreational use)
- DJI Mini 2 (remote ID not required for recreational use)
- 3DR Solo
You can find out if your drone is equipped with Remote ID by looking it up on the FAA’s website here:
Remote ID look up
When will the remote ID modules be available ?
My first shipment is expected to arrive the first week of October. People are obviously hoping the modules would be available by the September 16th deadline but due to high demand and production time, this is the time period promised by the manufacturer.
How can I order a remote ID module?
Simply complete the interest form below and submit it. I will notify you when the remote ID modules are in stock. Be sure to indicate how many modules you would like. Orders will be filled on a first come first serve basis. If you wish to guarantee that you will receive a module from this first shipment contact me to prepay. If you don’t want to prepay I will contact you by email when the beacons come in on a first come first serve basis.