[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 224 (Wednesday, November 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 81530-81531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25839]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration

[Docket No. FAA-2023-2327]


Agency Information Collection Activities: Requests for Comments; 
Clearance of a Renewed Approval of Information Collection: Unmanned 
Aircraft Remote Identification Message Elements

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, FAA 
invites public comments about our intention to request the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) approval to renew an information 
collection. The collection involves electronic information that is 
broadcast directly from certain unmanned aircraft, specifically 
standard remote identification unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft 
equipped with a remote identification broadcast module. With certain 
limited exceptions, the Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft rule 
prohibits the operation of unmanned aircraft within the airspace of the 
United States unless the unmanned aircraft are broadcasting certain 
remote identification message elements throughout their operation. An 
exception to the general rule is when an unmanned aircraft is not 
equipped with remote identification equipment but is operated within 
visual line of sight and within an FAA-recognized identification area.

DATES: Written comments should be submitted by January 22, 2024.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments:
    By Electronic Docket: www.regulations.gov (Enter docket number into 
search field).
    By mail: Benjamin Walsh, FAA Flight Standards Service, Emerging 
Technologies Division, AFS-700, 800 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 
20591.
    By fax: 202-267-8233.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Benjamin Walsh by email at: [email protected]; phone: 202-267-8233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Public Comments Invited: You are asked to comment on any aspect of 
this information collection, including (a) Whether the proposed 
collection of information is necessary for FAA's performance; (b) the 
accuracy of the estimated burden; (c) ways for FAA to enhance the 
quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (d) 
ways that the burden could be minimized without reducing the quality of 
the collected information. The agency will summarize and/or include 
your comments in the request for OMB's clearance of this information 
collection.
    OMB Control Number: 2120-0783.
    Title: Unmanned Aircraft Remote Identification Message Elements.
    Form Numbers: N/A.
    Type of Review: Renewal of an information collection.
    Background: Regulations for the Remote Identification of Unmanned 
Aircraft were published on January 15, 2021, and are contained in 14 
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR), part 89. Requirements for the 
operation of unmanned aircraft with remote identification are contained 
in part 89, subpart B. The Remote Identification rule requires unmanned 
aircraft with remote identification equipment to broadcast remote 
identification message elements directly from the unmanned aircraft 
using radio frequency spectrum in accordance with 47 CFR part 15, where 
operations may occur without a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 
individual license. These unmanned aircraft include standard remote 
identification unmanned aircraft and unmanned aircraft equipped with 
remote identification broadcast modules.
    A standard remote identification unmanned aircraft must be capable 
of broadcasting the following remote identification message elements:
    (a) The identity of the unmanned aircraft consisting of:
    (1) A serial number assigned to the unmanned aircraft by the person 
responsible for the production of the standard remote identification 
unmanned aircraft; or
    (2) A session ID.
    (b) An indication of the latitude and longitude of the control 
station.
    (c) An indication of the geometric altitude of the control station.
    (d) An indication of the latitude and longitude of the unmanned 
aircraft.
    (e) An indication of the geometric altitude of the unmanned 
aircraft.
    (f) An indication of the velocity of the unmanned aircraft.
    (g) A time mark identifying the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) 
time of applicability of a position source output.
    (g) An indication of the emergency status of the unmanned aircraft.
    A remote identification broadcast module must be capable of 
broadcasting the following remote identification message elements:

[[Page 81531]]

    (a) The identity of the unmanned aircraft consisting of the serial 
number assigned to the remote identification broadcast module by the 
person responsible for the production of the remote identification 
broadcast module.
    (b) An indication of the latitude and longitude of the unmanned 
aircraft.
    (c) An indication of the geometric altitude of the unmanned 
aircraft.
    (d) An indication of the velocity of the unmanned aircraft.
    (e) An indication of the latitude and longitude of the take-off 
location of the unmanned aircraft.
    (f) An indication of the geometric altitude of the take-off 
location of the unmanned aircraft.
    (g) A time mark identifying the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) 
time of applicability of a position source output.
    The collection of this information in the remote identification 
message elements is necessary to comply with the FAA's statutory 
requirement to develop and implement standards for remotely identifying 
operators and owners of unmanned aircraft. The collection of this 
information will also provide airspace awareness to enable the FAA, 
national security agencies, and law enforcement entities to distinguish 
compliant airspace users from those potentially posing a safety or 
security risk.
    The remote identification message elements that unmanned aircraft 
operators are required to broadcast under Part 89 are considered 
publicly available information. The remote identification message 
elements broadcast directly from the unmanned can be received by anyone 
who has the appropriate equipment, such as a personal wireless device, 
that can receive broadcast messages.
    Respondents: The collection of information through the broadcasting 
of message elements from a standard remote identification unmanned 
aircraft or remote identification broadcast module is entirely 
automatic. The collection uses automated, electronic, and related 
technological collection techniques. This framework makes it relatively 
simple and straightforward for individuals to comply with the broadcast 
requirements by operating unmanned aircraft that are standard remote 
identification unmanned aircraft or unmanned aircraft equipped with a 
remote identification broadcast module.
    Frequency: Operators of unmanned aircraft with remote 
identification are required to broadcast the remote identification 
message elements addressed in this information collection on occasion 
(when the unmanned aircraft with remote identification is operated in 
the airspace of the United States).
    Estimated Average Burden per Response: To transmit remote 
identification message elements, each remote pilot is required to 
operate either a standard remote identification unmanned aircraft or 
unmanned aircraft equipped with a remote identification broadcast 
module. The collection of information through the broadcasting of the 
remote identification message elements is entirely automatic, therefore 
there is no average burden associated with the broadcast of the remote 
identification message elements.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: The collection of information 
through the broadcasting of the remote identification message elements 
is entirely automatic, therefore there is no annual burden associated 
with the broadcast of the remote identification message elements.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on November 17, 2023.
Joseph Morra,
Manager, Emerging Technologies Division, AFS-700.
[FR Doc. 2023-25839 Filed 11-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P