The FAA has approved a specially-designated area at Princeton’s Forrestal campus for research and recreational flights to take place without the need for Remote ID capability.
The FAA’s upcoming implementation of the Remote ID registration system prompted the UAS program at Princeton to apply for permission to set up a FAA -recognized identification area (FRIA) at the Forrestal helistop, the area designated for research and recreational drone flights at Princeton. Only community organizations and educational institutions can apply to host a FRIA.
As a result of the designation, drone pilots operating within the bounds of the FRIA are not required to operate devices with Remote ID capability. Remote ID, essentially a digital license plate broadcasting identifying information about drones and other sUAS, will be a general requirement after March 16, 2024.
The FRIA will provide a safe location for students, staff and faculty to conduct drone flights as part of their education and independent research. Because many devices used for research are custom-built, the FRIA allows such activity without the need to equip drones with Remote ID broadcasting capabilities.
Any drone flights conducted outside this or other FRIAs, whether for recreational, research or business purposes, will require Remote ID capability after March 16, 2024. Currently, the Forrestal Helistop is the only area at Princeton University where flights for research or recreational purposes are permitted.
The bounds of the FRIA are outlined below. The Princeton Drones website has more information about the Forrestal Helistop location.
