Would Require Electronic ID For Every Aircraft Weighing More Than 1.7 Pounds

The French Federation of Model Airplanes (Fédération Française d’Aéromodélisme) has released three documents that could become the foundation for new drone regulations in that country.

Drone DJ reports that the draft documents call for an electronic identification system to be installed aboard every drone that weighs more than 800 grams (about 1.7 pounds). That system would transmit the aircraft's ID number, position and altitude, date and time, takeoff coordinates, and the direction and speed of the aircraft at all times.

If adopted, the rules would require drones to have a signalling light that would flash the letter "U" in Morse code to indicate it is an unmanned vehicle. The light would have to be visible at night up to an altitude of about 300 feet, and be a color other than red, green or white, which are used for navigation.

Exemptions would be made for aircraft that are strictly for recreational or competition use. Also exempt would be drones flown indoors or in covered areas, or that are operated by government agencies, such as customs, police and other first responders.

Fines would range up to 3,500 euros (about $4,300) for repeat offenders.

The rules would become effective July 1 should they be adopted, with a grace period on fines extending to January 1, 2019.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original report