Remote ID: what is already required, and what changes for older aircraft in 2028

Direct Remote ID has been a requirement in the UK since 1 January 2026 for aircraft carrying a UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 or UK6 class mark. Direct means the aircraft broadcasts its identification and location itself, over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with no internet connection involved.

The date more people are going to trip over is 1 January 2028. From then the requirement extends to UK0 aircraft of 100g or more with a camera, to model aircraft, to privately built aircraft in the same weight and camera bracket, and to legacy aircraft that carry no class mark at all. If you are still flying a pre class marking aircraft commercially, that is the date it needs either a Remote ID solution or a replacement, and two and a half years is less runway than it sounds when you are amortising a machine.

The CAA has also said that hybrid Remote ID, direct broadcast combined with a network element, is its preferred long term direction. Nothing about that is in force, and it is worth separating from what is.

Two questions for anyone reading:

Are you flying anything today that has no class mark and would be caught by the 2028 date?

Has any client actually asked you to evidence Remote ID on a job yet, or is it still invisible at the point of hire?

Sources: CAA Remote ID policy programme, and CAP3172.