Considering the drone issue, maybe they should be required to have transponders installed and functioning so pilots could see and hear of an intruder with their TCAS. Well, I don't see that happening, ever, but that is another issue. As for the 5G/radar altimeter problem it might take that airliner hitting the terminal or a Med-flight helicopter hitting the hospital two stories below the helipad before the powers that be wale up.
I've always said that check lists are written in blood, and so are the FARs
Yes, it seems the DOT/FAA has lost sight of their critical mission.
It's a mixed bag.
On the one hand geo-fencing has been around for years and yet it's easily bypassed. That would explain why I came within about 50 ft of hitting a drone on base leg for landing at KOCW.
Responsible people follow the rules. Irresponsible people do not.
Now, the FAA wants to require Remote ID, the drone equivalent of ADS-B out (the successor/General Aviation counterpart to TCAS) on all drones weighing more than .55 pounds/8.8 ounces/250 grams, not just drones operated commercially under part 107.
Remote ID requires broadcasting the owner/operations unique identity information (a serial number registered to the user) as well as the location of the drone and controller as well as velocity and altitude of the drone, as well as a time mark.
This requirement can be met either by being built into the drone, or with an add on module.
Drones weighing more than 250 grams not carrying a Remote ID must operate within the confines of FAA Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAS) sponsored by community based organizations and approved by the FAA.
However, at the moment I am aware of only one FAA certified RID module. It costs $300 and under the FAA rules it cannot be moved between drones.
When an R/C aircraft can be built for around $150, it's a burden to require a $300 module that cannot be moved between models, even when they are all owned by the same owner.
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In other words, I've been a fan of radio controlled gliders and sailplanes for over 40 years. Under the new rules they are classified as "drones" and while they are built light by necessity they all weigh more than 8.8 oz/250 grams.
For example the Gentle Lady is a long standing 2 meter wing span balsa and mylar sailplane design that is as basic as it gets. Its been the sailplane trainer of choice for decades. It's normally operated with a 2 channel radio with micro servos, Micro receiver and a 350 mah lithium ion battery that is a lot lighter than the Nicads we used to use. They weigh about 25 ounces/700 grams.
It would cost me $300 for an RID module for a very visible, slow moving R/C glider that requires a reasonable amount of skill to fly. It would cost me around $2100 to equip all of them with RID modules.
That's more or less the same problem as ADS-B out for full sized aircraft. The cheapest option out there ends up being close to $2500 to install and it's not getting any less expensive.
There is now at least one smaller (48") 250 gram sailplane kit on the market, but it's less capable, has less tolerance of wind, is less capable and harder to see.
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The larger problem of course is that there are already millions of drones out there. An irresponsible owner will not register them, nor will those irresponsible owner comply with the RID requirement and that actually increases the safety risk when the system assumes a high level of compliance.
In short, it's the same flawed logic that the anti gun crowd like to use.
) of many aspects of RF, I would clean up on the sleep-aids market.
