Spektrum Sky ID module unable to register with the FAA

[chazzmacs]

I bought the module, and tried to register on the FAA DroneZone page, and no matter what I do, it will not register. I have a RUKO module that registered no problem. I contacted Spektrum support, which is Horizon Hobby, and after too many emails back and forth, taking almost a week, they sent "it is an issue between us and the FAA. It should be taken care of very soon." I asked how I'd know, and this is the response "We will make a public post once it has been resolved." I asked "Will that include an email to me, if not, where should I look for the public post? Sorry, I am not clear on how I’ll find out." Their reply - "I am sure it will be on our homepage and on our social media profiles."

Not a definitive or even useful answer. I asked for an email to let me know, got nothing back. It seems that Horizon/Spektrum is all about the money, not customer service or solving problems of their own making. I'm pissed, as you may imagine. I'm trying to be legal, but if I do, I can't fly the plane without using the RUKO, which is installed on another plane and would be very difficult to install on this one, as it HAS to be face up. Which is why I bought the Spektrum module.

Has anyone else had this kind of issue?

 

[Suburban_Hooligan]

#TypicalHorizon

 

[Doom!]

I bought the module, and tried to register on the FAA DroneZone page, and no matter what I do, it will not register. I have a RUKO module that registered no problem. I contacted Spektrum support, which is Horizon Hobby, and after too many emails back and forth, taking almost a week, they sent "it is an issue between us and the FAA. It should be taken care of very soon." I asked how I'd know, and this is the response "We will make a public post once it has been resolved." I asked "Will that include an email to me, if not, where should I look for the public post? Sorry, I am not clear on how I’ll find out." Their reply - "I am sure it will be on our homepage and on our social media profiles."

Not a definitive or even useful answer. I asked for an email to let me know, got nothing back. It seems that Horizon/Spektrum is all about the money, not customer service or solving problems of their own making. I'm pissed, as you may imagine. I'm trying to be legal, but if I do, I can't fly the plane without using the RUKO, which is installed on another plane and would be very difficult to install on this one, as it HAS to be face up. Which is why I bought the Spektrum module.

Has anyone else had this kind of issue?

Their support seems to be headed right down the old flusher lately. That is not the kind of answer you give to somebody who has supported your company, by purchasing your products, just to find out they can't legally use them. WTF?

 

[Cheetah928]

Just don't fly too high and don't get caught . Thats what I did. I don't even know if any of my drones got high enough to be an issue

 

[Doom!]

I've never registered any of mine either (not that I'm recommending that to anybody) Local law enforcement pretty much said they will not enforce it. The only way to get in trouble, is to do something you shouldn't do with it. Common sense rules the day.

 

[Mrgoodwrench35]

I registered the only drone I have that required it (DJI Phantom 3 pro) and I know the laws have changed some since then but at the time, all they required me to do was put registration numbers on the drone body. What is this registration module you speak of?

 

[DavidB1126]

Not a definitive or even useful answer. I asked for an email to let me know, got nothing back. It seems that Horizon/Spektrum is all about the money, not customer service or solving problems of their own making. I'm pissed, as you may imagine.

#TypicalHorizon

Their support seems to be headed right down the old flusher lately. That is not the kind of answer you give to somebody who has supported your company, by purchasing your products, just to find out they can't legally use them. WTF?

↑ Yeppers. Y'all got that right. Horizon is a scam. Has been since they started to take over the RC industry and ruin over such great brands. Sad to see. Poor customer service, QC issues, overpriced parts, poor manufactured parts, and more from what I've seen. Can't get away from them bc they make up literally about or more than half of RC.

 

[CertifiedMike]

↑ Yeppers. Y'all got that right. Horizon is a scam. Has been since they started to take over the RC industry and ruin over such great brands. Sad to see. Poor customer service, QC issues, overpriced parts, poor manufactured parts, and more from what I've seen. Can't get away from them bc they make up literally about or more than half of RC.

3 words for you my friend...

KY OS HO!!!

 

[Bongrtm]

Finally Found someone having the same issue! I bought 2 Spectrum Sky modules from Amazon...both RID numbers were invalid on the FAA website. I contacted Spektrum, and they sent me 2 replacement modules (through Horizon Hobby). Again, both those modules had invalid RIDs. Now, Horizon Hobby wants me to send the modules in for repairs.

From HH:
"To assist you further, we’ll need to evaluate the Sky ID at our Service Center. Please send the Sky ID in following the instructions provided at the link below:....Once received, our team will assess the Sky ID and contact you with the next steps."

I questioned their reasoning...Questions to HH:
1) I don’t understand…please explain to me the reasoning for sending it in for repair. The products work fine and do not need repair. The RID numbers just need to be verified and registered with the FAA. Why are the Sky ID numbers not valid with the FAA?
2) You have the FAA RID numbers (in the attachments I sent)…can’t you just add them to your “Declaration of Compliance’ Document that was filed by Spektrum with the FAA, or, check the numbers yourself without sending the units in?
3) Am I sending these back so you can send me units whose Sky ID Numbers are valid with the FAA?
4) Who is going to pay for shipping? Are you going to to send me a prepaid return label since HH sent me these replacement units to replace the ones I bought on Amazon?

I'm waiting for a reply (it's been a couple of days)...I think they ghosted me...

 

[DavidB1126]

Finally Found someone having the same issue! I bought 2 Spectrum Sky modules from Amazon...both RID numbers were invalid on the FAA website. I contacted Spektrum, and they sent me 2 replacement modules (through Horizon Hobby). Again, both those modules had invalid RIDs. Now, Horizon Hobby wants me to send the modules in for repairs.

From HH:
"To assist you further, we’ll need to evaluate the Sky ID at our Service Center. Please send the Sky ID in following the instructions provided at the link below:....Once received, our team will assess the Sky ID and contact you with the next steps."

I questioned their reasoning...Questions to HH:
1) I don’t understand…please explain to me the reasoning for sending it in for repair. The products work fine and do not need repair. The RID numbers just need to be verified and registered with the FAA. Why are the Sky ID numbers not valid with the FAA?
2) You have the FAA RID numbers (in the attachments I sent)…can’t you just add them to your “Declaration of Compliance’ Document that was filed by Spektrum with the FAA, or, check the numbers yourself without sending the units in?
3) Am I sending these back so you can send me units whose Sky ID Numbers are valid with the FAA?
4) Who is going to pay for shipping? Are you going to to send me a prepaid return label since HH sent me these replacement units to replace the ones I bought on Amazon?

I'm waiting for a reply (it's been a couple of days)...I think they ghosted me...

Sounds like Horizon, very much.
They don't help or support long term hobbyists. They only ideally focus on helping beginners so they can take care of all of it. Which those beginners eventually turn into long term hobbyists and complain about horizon.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Sounds like Horizon, very much.
They don't help or support long term hobbyists. They only ideally focus on helping beginners so they can take care of all of it. Which those beginners eventually turn into long term hobbyists and complain about horizon.

You sound jaded, angry!

Let me suggest meditation to help you on your journey to RC enlightenment and finding that pure moment, "in the moment" its called, when you become one with your RC. As if the remote isn't required...
Time slows down. You become Neo. The Chosen One.

Say it withe me now. In slow, deep breathes, keeeeeey-ooooohhhhhh shhhhh-ooooohhhhhh.... repeat.

 

[Dominator]

Its very serious stuff if you don't register your planes here in Canada. We have to write a test to have Basic, advanced certificate in order to fly here.
It must be with you at all times when flying, also the registered planes you are flying must have the numbers on the plane that matches each certificate.

Transport Canada agents, local law enforcement, or RCMP personnel are qualified to check your info at any time. Fines can be hefty, and loss of privileges, or even jail time.

I know about 5 guys charged, were fined and lost the right to fly.

I fly at all sanctioned fields, and am a member of MAAC, Model Aeronautics Association Canada. Through our membership we have 7 million dollar liability coverage for each individual pilot.

 

[CertifiedMike]

Through our membership we have 7 million dollar liability coverage for each individual pilot.

So I'd need about 3 million more to cover my first bad crash.

Its very serious stuff if you don't register your planes here in Canada.

Prob to discourage maple syrup smuggling!

That sounds like a pretty fancy flying club you have up there!

 

[Bongrtm]

Finally Found someone having the same issue! I bought 2 Spectrum Sky modules from Amazon...both RID numbers were invalid on the FAA website. I contacted Spektrum, and they sent me 2 replacement modules (through Horizon Hobby). Again, both those modules had invalid RIDs. Now, Horizon Hobby wants me to send the modules in for repairs.

From HH:
"To assist you further, we’ll need to evaluate the Sky ID at our Service Center. Please send the Sky ID in following the instructions provided at the link below:....Once received, our team will assess the Sky ID and contact you with the next steps."

I questioned their reasoning...Questions to HH:
1) I don’t understand…please explain to me the reasoning for sending it in for repair. The products work fine and do not need repair. The RID numbers just need to be verified and registered with the FAA. Why are the Sky ID numbers not valid with the FAA?
2) You have the FAA RID numbers (in the attachments I sent)…can’t you just add them to your “Declaration of Compliance’ Document that was filed by Spektrum with the FAA, or, check the numbers yourself without sending the units in?
3) Am I sending these back so you can send me units whose Sky ID Numbers are valid with the FAA?
4) Who is going to pay for shipping? Are you going to to send me a prepaid return label since HH sent me these replacement units to replace the ones I bought on Amazon?

I'm waiting for a reply (it's been a couple of days)...I think they ghosted me...

UPDATE: I got this reply on Nov 11, 2025:

"Thank you for reaching out to us regarding this issue. We have contacted the FAA and provided them with the missing serial numbers. However, due to the current government shutdown, the FAA is not processing this information at this time.

Once the government reopens, the FAA will resume processing and add the missing serial numbers accordingly. We appreciate your patience and understanding during this delay.

Kind Regards,"

I checked the FAA website (https://uasdoc.faa.gov/listDocs) today (Dec 2, 2025) with my RID numbers...

...the original two modules ARE NOW VALID!!! and the two modules HH sent are ALSO VALID!!!

Anyone having this same issue, you may want to check the FAA website to see if your numbers are now valid...

Thank you HH for the two free modules!!!