Princeton Has a FRIA! Remote ID Requirement Pushed to March

Health and Safety News for the Princeton Community • SPECIAL ISSUE

Fall Update: Unmanned Aircraft Systems at Princeton University

There have been some important updates since August, when we sent our special edition of Spotlight on Safety for drone operators and those who arrange UAS flights at Princeton.

FRIA Approved For Forrestal Helistop

The FAA has approved a specially-designated area at Princeton’s Forrestal campus for research and recreational flights to take place without the need for Remote ID capability.

The FAA’s implementation of the Remote ID registration system prompted the UAS program at Princeton to apply for permission to set up a FAA-recognized identification area (FRIA) at the Forrestal helistop, the area designated for research and recreational drone flights at Princeton. We were pleased to learn recently that our application was approved.

What It Means

As a result of the designation, drone pilots operating within the bounds of the FRIA are not required to operate devices with Remote ID capability.

The FRIA will provide a safe location for students, staff and faculty to conduct drone flights as part of their education and independent research. Because many devices used for research are custom-built, the FRIA allows such activity without the need to equip drones with Remote ID broadcasting capabilities.

Learn More on the Princeton Drones Website

Remember! Advance Approval Needed

Princeton sUAS procedures require advance notice for all flight requests. Approval must be sought at least a week, and ideally two weeks, prior to sUAS use. The Princeton drones website has more information on what is needed to fly a drone at the University.

Remote ID Enforcement Postponed to March 16, 2024

Due to reported limited availability of Remote ID broadcast modules, as well as a backlog of applications for FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs), the FAA has announced a 6-month grace period for implementation of the Remote ID registration system.

Drone operators are expected to comply with the Sept. 16, 2023 implementation date for Remote ID, however the FAA will not begin full enforcement until March 16, 2024.

What Is Remote ID?

Remote ID broadcasts the identification and location information of drones in flight and is intended to facilitate the full integration of drones into the National Airspace System.

Remote ID requires, with limited exceptions (such as research and recreational flights within the boundaries of a FRIA, above), that drones be registered with the FAA and operate with the ability to broadcast identifying information.

Learn More on the Princeton Drones Website

Need more info or advice? Email us at drones@princeton.edu.

About Spotlight on Safety

Spotlight on Safety is the official newsletter of the Princeton Office of Environmental Health & Safety and the best way to stay informed about important health and safety topics, timely issues affecting the Princeton community, safety training and other EHS initiatives.

Contact the editor with any feedback or story ideas at js74@princeton.edu

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