Moon, you’re absolutely right—Remote ID has a long way to go. Most drones only broadcast their location within 300–400 feet, with even the best models barely reaching 1200 feet. Add altitude and obstacles, and tracking them becomes nearly impossible for law enforcement. In critical situations like wildfires, this limitation isn’t just inconvenient—it’s risky.
The reality is clear: the system needs to be fixed before drones can be safely integrated into our airspace. Allowing them to fly without robust safeguards puts lives at unnecessary risk, both in the air and on the ground.
The FAA has made progress with Remote ID, treating it like a “digital license plate,” but its range and enforcement capabilities fall short. Efforts to improve detection systems by companies like Pierce Aerospace are promising, but they’re not moving fast enough. Local police have been provided a “toolkit” for managing drones, yet many lack the resources or training to make it effective.
Meanwhile, drones continue to flood the market, bought for recreation and commercial use without enough consideration for safety. As their swarm numbers grow, so do the risks—highlighted by incidents like the recent collision with the firefighting plane in L.A.
What’s needed is a stronger Remote ID system: a range of 1,500–3,000 feet, effective detection tools for authorities, permanent systems at critical sites, and cockpit alerts for pilots. Without these improvements, drones pose more challenges than benefits in shared airspace.
The FAA must act with greater urgency. Airspace safety isn’t optional, and this issue requires more than halfway solutions. Fix the system so drones can operate responsibly.