Drone Hibernation and RID

[Captain Spock]

Hiya. We recently moved to Florida from New Mexico. Due to the timing of the move, a lot of our stuff remained in boxes for a long time i.e., a year. My mini2 and accessories were buried and I just opened the right box and gathered all my equipment. After charging, I did a couple of test flights and it all worked coming out of hibernation! But catching up on my reading here and elsewhere I found that a lot has progressed about RID. Bewildering cross references: : B4UFLY is gone, etc. some say "Yes" some say "No" on RID

BOTTOM LINE QUESTION 1: Do i need an RID module (mounted; mini2 not RID capable) as a recreational pilot who did TRUST and registered with the FAA in 2021?
SORTA BOTTOM LINE QUESTION 2: I would appreciate any thoughts and recommendations for external mounted RID for my mini2 "antique."
Have mercy; I am an old man . . .

 

[mavic3usa]

A Mini 2 drone which weighs less than 250g flown strictly for recreational purposes does not need RID in the US.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Hiya. We recently moved to Florida from New Mexico. Due to the timing of the move, a lot of our stuff remained in boxes for a long time i.e., a year. My mini2 and accessories were buried and I just opened the right box and gathered all my equipment. After charging, I did a couple of test flights and it all worked coming out of hibernation! But catching up on my reading here and elsewhere I found that a lot has progressed about RID. Bewildering cross references: : B4UFLY is gone, etc. some say "Yes" some say "No" on RID

BOTTOM LINE QUESTION 1: Do i need an RID module (mounted; mini2 not RID capable) as a recreational pilot who did TRUST and registered with the FAA in 2021?
SORTA BOTTOM LINE QUESTION 2: I would appreciate any thoughts and recommendations for external mounted RID for my mini2 "antique."
Have mercy; I am an old man . . .

Update your FlySafe database and you will discover no more GEO, too!

 

[msinger]

Do i need an RID module (mounted; mini2 not RID capable) as a recreational pilot who did TRUST and registered with the FAA in 2021?

If the drone weighs less than 250 g at takeoff, you don't need to use an RID module since you didn't register this drone with the FAA back in 2021.

 

[GadgetGuy]

If the drone weighs less than 250 g at takeoff, you don't need to use an RID module since you didn't register this drone with the FAA back in 2021.

…and still don't need to today! It's exempt!

 

[msinger]

…and still don't need to today! It's exempt!

It sure is. However, once it's been registered with the FAA, it isn't exempt anymore regardless of the takeoff weight.

 

[GadgetGuy]

It sure is. However, once it's been registered with the FAA, it isn't exempt anymore regardless of the takeoff weight.

Agreed, but why would any recreational pilot ever want to register it with the FAA, other than by mistake?

 

[msinger]

Agreed, but why would any recreational pilot ever want to register it with the FAA, other than by mistake?

I don't know. But I'm always equally baffled when hobbyists mention here that they are getting their Part 107 "just in case".

 

[Captain Spock]

Agreed, but why would any recreational pilot ever want to register it with the FAA, other than by mistake?

regret I DID register my mini2 with the FAA back in 2021. THought it was the right thing to do at the time. Sounds like I made an irreversible mistake. So.... do you agree I need RID?

 

[Captain Spock]

Agreed, but why would any recreational pilot ever want to register it with the FAA, other than by mistake?

regret I DID register my mini2 with the FAA back in 2021. THought it was the right thing to do at the time. Sounds like I made an irreversible mistake. So.... do you agree I need RID?

 

[Captain Spock]

regret I DID register my mini2 with the FAA back in 2021. THought it was the right thing to do at the time. Sounds like I made an irreversible mistake. So.... do you agree I need RID?

…and still don't need to today! It's exempt!

I don't know. But I'm always equally baffled when hobbyists mention here that they are getting their Part 107 "just in case".

I did not pursue Part 107. Looks like I did that one correctly.

 

[Captain Spock]

Gadget and singer: looks like I forgot how to use this board too . . . deep sigh . . . getting old is for the birds.

regret I DID register my mini2 with the FAA back in 2021. THought it was the right thing to do at the time. Sounds like I made an irreversible mistake. So.... do you agree I need RID?

 

[MavicAir2Marc]

As a recreational pilot, you only need to register yourself, not the drone. That same number can be used (or not) for any drone you have but if you registered the drone itself, you can cancel the registration on the drone zone website. As a recreational pilot, the number is only for any drone you wish to register that is over 250g.

 

[msinger]

do you agree I need RID?

The FAA states here that "drones which are required to be registered or are registered, including those flown for recreation, business, or public safety, must comply with the rule on Remote ID".

You can remove any added drone from your inventory here. Once it's removed, it's no longer registered to you, and you don't need to follow Remote ID rules just because the drone is registered.

 

[msinger]

As a recreational pilot, you only need to register yourself, not the drone

This used to be true back when the FAA only required hobbyists to register themselves. However, they now also have to enter the serial numbers for any drones that weigh more than 0.55 pounds, so it's fair to say hobbyists are no longer only registering themselves.

 

[Captain Spock]

Thanks for the help so far. I checked DroneZone Recreational Flyer: I am indeed personally registered and have a registration number. My registration expires 02/20/2026
AND
My mini2 drone is also listed by serial number in my inventory. It looks like I can indeed "cancel" my drone with a selectable reason (e.g., lost, stolen, "other") as suggested. No drone = no requirement for RID. Sounds like a workaround. Pondering.

At face value, I think I am on the hook and need to get an external module. So much for a 249 gram drone. :-( how the heck do I maintain 249 when skids alone break the bank, not to mention night-flying lights or prop guards for indoor, or . . . an RID module. Geesch!

 

[msinger]

I think I am on the hook and need to get an external module

You should ask the FAA directly if you have any doubts. But I don't think you're on the hook if it's no longer registered with the FAA.

 

[mavic3usa]

Thanks for the help so far. I checked DroneZone Recreational Flyer: I am indeed personally registered and have a registration number. My registration expires 02/20/2026
AND
My mini2 drone is also listed by serial number in my inventory. It looks like I can indeed "cancel" my drone with a selectable reason (e.g., lost, stolen, "other") as suggested. No drone = no requirement for RID. Sounds like a workaround. Pondering.

At face value, I think I am on the hook and need to get an external module. So much for a 249 gram drone. :-( how the heck do I maintain 249 when skids alone break the bank, not to mention night-flying lights or prop guards for indoor, or . . . an RID module. Geesch!

My sub-250g drones are in my inventory without a serial number and I checked the box that says NO RID.

 

[Captain Spock]

Well, y'all convinced me - no RID for me. I just cancelled my mini, Done. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I still have a lot to learn.
Quick final question: my mini2 weighs 249 grams naked (without any attachments like skids or lights. With those add-ons, the weight increases well beyond 250. Is my mini2 still considered a drone under 250?

 

[mavic3usa]

Well, y'all convinced me - no RID for me. I just cancelled my mini, Done. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. I still have a lot to learn.
Quick final question: my mini2 weighs 249 grams naked (without any attachments like skids or lights. With those add-ons, the weight increases well beyond 250. Is my mini2 still considered a drone under 250?

Yes if you add something and the weight goes beyond 250g, you will need to register and add the external RID module.

Don't get too excited about cancelled, with the government, nothing is completely gone. The record is always there, it's always attached to your name, and cancelled only means it's not Active.