Registration expiration and Remote ID question for drones under weight limit

[stevenmh72]

I bought a Mavic Mini in 2020. I wanted to be compliant with all the rules and teach our boy to be responsible, so I registered it even though it wasn't necessary due to weight (we don't use the propeller guards). At this point I basically only use it to check the gutters to see when they need cleaned, and since I live within 5 miles of an airport, I use Air Control to submit a flight plan each time.

This morning I got an email about my registration expiring. That got me looking into something else drone-related, and I ran across the new Remote ID requirement, and now I see that it's required for any drone that's registered, even if it wasn't required to be registered. So now I'm a criminal if I check my gutters, and admitting to it if I file a flight plan. The Mini is too old to be buying a Remote ID add-on, but checking my gutters does not warrant an upgrade. Seems like trying to be responsible has backfired.

So this leads to my questions. All the internet discussion about de-registering a drone revolves around sold/lost/destroyed. Is it possible to de-register a drone that is still owned, and in the comments state that I do not use propeller guards, and therefore the registration is no longer required? Failing that, what are the ramifications of simply letting the registration expire and not re-registering a drone that is still in use, if it is below the weight limit?

Leaf season is coming up, and just trying to figure out whether there's a legal path forward that doesn't cost anything.

 

[mavic3usa]

Since you asked, I'll try to answer some, others will chime in as well I sure. Not trying to be a stickler but we can refine a few things even though you mostly have it right.

You use the Air Control app when you want to gain authorization to fly in controlled airspace. It doesn't depend on "distance" from an airport although being close to one usually means controlled airspace. Get your automatic authorization and no "flight plan" is required, it's just an authorization.

If your drone is less than 250g and you fly strictly for recreational purposes then you are not required to register your drone on the FAA drone registration database. You are welcome to do so and it is not a much. Sounds like you are not flying for recreational purposes when you check your gutters which requires a part 107 certification (often referred to as a "drone license.") If you fly strictly for fun then feel free to forgo drone registration and that's fine if it's expiring but I would go in and remove the drone. You can't "de-register" so to speak but you can cancel it and the drone will be marked as "cancelled." there is no need to make any comments in your registration (no one will read them). You can continue to fly for fun under the exception without registration and without any RID even though your drone details are in the FAA database (active or not).

If you want to continue to check your gutters, first get your part 107 certification and then register your drone and since your drone does not have standard RID, you'll need to attach an external RID module. Your drone is definitely not too old for one since they are inexpensive and last forever and can be transferred to other drones.

Those are your options plus you have a few other options that I haven't mentioned but it up to you to decide how you want to approach it. Sounds like you want to continue to remain compliant and it looks like you are on the right path.

 

[stevenmh72]

Thanks for your response, I appreciate it. I've looked a little deeper and my language is not as precise as it should be. My re-registration notice is for registering as a flyer, not for any particular drone, so I understand I cannot let that lapse. It sounds like "cancel device" is the best option here, so long as the FAA doesn't take that to mean that I'm claiming to have gotten rid of the device or claiming never to fly it again.

Agreed on Air Control, auto authorization is what I'm doing. It feels silly to do so below the tree line, but it's the rules and it only takes a minute, so I do it.

Do you have a source for the requirement for commercial certification for looking at your own house? I use the term "inspection" loosely. I have no specific ability, training, or certification for "inspecting" anything formally. It would be more accurate to say I'm "observing" my own property. "Fun" is relative and non-enforceable language. How could it ever be proven that I'm not having fun flying in circles around the perimeter of my home? How would anyone even be able to tell what I was looking at? Where would you draw the line? If I'm flying for "fun" and I accidentally get my house in the view, am I noncompliant? I'm not saying you're not correct, I would just like to read the precise language of the regulation.

Thanks again!

 

[mavic3usa]

Thanks for your response, I appreciate it. I've looked a little deeper and my language is not as precise as it should be. My re-registration notice is for registering as a flyer, not for any particular drone, so I understand I cannot let that lapse. It sounds like "cancel device" is the best option here, so long as the FAA doesn't take that to mean that I'm claiming to have gotten rid of the device or claiming never to fly it again.

Since it's only $5, I would suggest you renew as well and then revisit in several more years. When you cancel the individual drone then you are basically saying the drone is no longer part of your inventory of drones that you intend to register. Their final disposition is not really relevant since the database is not really a tracking tool or establish ownership. Pretty sure there are a lot of drones that are sold and never cancelled and a tons of duplicates. Since there is no hard link to flying your drone based on what is logged into the database, I wouldn't worry about it.

Do you have a source for the requirement for commercial certification for looking at your own house? I use the term "inspection" loosely. I have no specific ability, training, or certification for "inspecting" anything formally. It would be more accurate to say I'm "observing" my own property. "Fun" is relative and non-enforceable language. How could it ever be proven that I'm not having fun flying in circles around the perimeter of my home? How would anyone even be able to tell what I was looking at? Where would you draw the line? If I'm flying for "fun" and I accidentally get my house in the view, am I noncompliant? I'm not saying you're not correct, I would just like to read the precise language of the regulation.

I do not have a source for you to reference but I can tell you part 107 certification is the default and recreational is the exception. It's not either/or but rather everyone needs a part 107 certification to fly a drone but there is an exception. If you want to take advantage of the exception, fly strictly for fun and fly with a sub-250g drone. From what I understand, this is most accurately measured by the "intent" of your flight when you take off from your home point.

I mentioned there are "other options" and that is where you decide if your actions qualify for the exception, I can't speak to that. However, there are lots of other threads throughout this forum with a robust discussion on the topic. My personal opinion is you need a part 107 even to inspect the gutters on your private property. Hope this helps.

 

[stevenmh72]

I'm not sure I entirely understand your first statement. Are you saying that if I cancel the Mavic Mini, I will be unable to renew my FAA registration since it's the only device I have? And that if I renew, and then cancel the device, my entire registration is cancelled? I was thinking I could be registered as a flyer, but if all my devices are sub-250g, then I just wouldn't have any devices listed. But I may be incorrect about that if registration is tied to equipment rather than user. I do have my TRUST certificate, but it seems to be separate from the FAA registration.

As for the Part 107, I'm at the limit of my knowledge and will do the reading as you suggest.

 

[mavic3usa]

I'm not sure I entirely understand your first statement. Are you saying that if I cancel the Mavic Mini, I will be unable to renew my FAA registration since it's the only device I have? And that if I renew, and then cancel the device, my entire registration is cancelled? I was thinking I could be registered as a flyer, but if all my devices are sub-250g, then I just wouldn't have any devices listed. But I may be incorrect about that if registration is tied to equipment rather than user. I do have my TRUST certificate, but it seems to be separate from the FAA registration.

As for the Part 107, I'm at the limit of my knowledge and will do the reading as you suggest.

I made an update to my previous comment. I think you, as the pilot, can be registered with the FAA as a recreational flyer with a single unique registration number with zero drones in your inventory. Cancelling the only drone (or last active drone) in your inventory should not cancel your FAA registration. My suggestion was to renew and keep your unique registration number. Also as I mentioned, you don't have to cancel your Mini registration, not sure what that does for you.

 

[stevenmh72]

The reason for cancelling the Mini registration would be to avoid adding Remote ID. My understanding is that whether registration was required or not, if it is registered, it must comply with RID. In fact, my renewal email states that if it's listed in my inventory with RID = no (which it currently is), that I need to cancel it and re-add it with RID = yes.

I understand your previous point about the relatively low cost of adding RID and the lifespan of the Mini. In my case, we built a new house 4 years ago. After moving in, I decided to take a photo of the property and neighborhood and surrounding scenery. I went up 400 ft and had to go one street over to get the view. It was line of sight, you can see me standing in the driveway in the photo. When I tried to bring it back, it was non-responsive to all movement. I spent several minutes on it, would not move at all. I thought it was going to stay there until it fell out of the sky. I hit the RTH button, not expecting it to respond to that either, but it immediately scooted on back and landed, thankfully. Ever since then, I have not been willing to take it higher than the house or beyond my property boundary. That is why I'm trying to avoid putting any more money into it. If I ever need it for more than just looking at gutters, I'd buy a new one.

 

[Cafguy]

The FAA considers "checking" your roof as a commercial activity and while as a recreational pilot you can technically do it (cause its your roof) ..The FAA says you must follow the 107 rules while doing it....One of those rules requires RID.
Why not simply change the INTENT of your flight to videoing while you fly around the whole property or something and then when you re-watch the video, pay close attention while watching the parts where the drone flys near the gutters..
Note you cannot take pics of your roof and show them to the roofing guy to use them for a bid, Unless you have a part 107...SO actually unless you plan to fix the gutter problem you find yourself its really not allowed.