What is Remote ID, and how does Skydio have you covered?
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At Skydio, our mission is to make the world more creative, productive and safe. A key part of achieving that mission is doing everything in our power to help you use our systems with maximum ease and efficiency — including meeting the key regulatory requirements needed to keep you flying. It is our privilege to be the drone you trust to make your hobbies even better and your work even easier. We are committed to helping you fly in compliance with regulatory requirements as easily and seamlessly as possible.
Late last year, the FAA’s new Remote Identification (ID) rule took effect for manufacturers. The Remote ID rule will become effective for operators on September 16, 2023. This applies to all drone pilots required to register their UAS.
Our customers should rest assured: Skydio is compliant with the regulation. This article explains what you need to know.
[note] The Remote ID rule will become effective for operators on September 16, 2023. This applies to all drone pilots required to register their UAS. [/note]
Skydio Drones with Remote ID
To prepare for the new regulation, Skydio began building Remote ID broadcasting capabilities into our drones starting September 16, 2022. (Note: As you may have seen, the FAA effectively delayed the implementation date of the Remote ID rule until December 16, 2022.)
Skydio Drones produced on or after September 16, 2022
New Skydio drones produced on or after September 16th, 2022 have Standard Remote ID enabled. Skydio drones with Remote ID are identified with a special label.
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- Per FAA requirements, Remote ID cannot be disabled. End users cannot turn off their drone's Remote ID broadcast or alter any portion of the broadcast message.
- Skydio will continue to ship existing inventory produced before the September 16, 2022 deadline. As a result, customers ordering a drone after that date may receive a drone that does not have Remote ID. To know whether your drone has Remote ID, simply check the label.
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- If you receive a drone produced before the September 16, 2022 deadline that does not currently have Remote ID, Skydio anticipates enabling Remote ID by means of a simple software update (and label) by the required deadline.
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[note] Skydio X2D drones used by the U.S. Department of Defense or other federal agencies are generally exempt from the manufacturer requirements in the Remote ID rule. [/note]
Skydio Drones produced before September 16, 2022
On June 12, 2023, we will push out a simple update that will enable Remote ID for your Skydio 2, 2+, or X2E drone when flown with the Skydio Enterprise Controller, Skydio mobile apps (with or without Skydio Controller), or Skydio Beacon/Beacon+ (with or without Skydio mobile apps). You’ll receive step-by-step instructions to update, re-register with the FAA, and affix a Remote ID label to your drone. Stay tuned!
Drone Repairs
If we repair or replace your Skydio 2+ or X2E drone on or after September 16, 2022, the drone you receive back will have Remote ID, regardless of the original drone’s manufacture date.
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- Skydio 2 drones are no longer actively manufactured. If your Skydio 2 drone is repaired or replaced, it will not have Remote ID enbled when it is returned to you.
- Skydio anticipates enabling Remote ID on Skydio 2, 2+, or X2E drones produced before September 16, 2022 by means of a simple software update (and label)--with no hardware changes required.
[note] Skydio X2D drones used by the U.S. Department of Defense or other federal agencies are generally exempt from the manufacturer requirements in the Remote ID rule. [/note]
To check your drone for Standard Remote ID
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Skydio drones with Remote ID are identified with a special label located inside the battery tray of the drone.
The label shows the ANSI serial number and model name of your drone, and the FCC ID for the remote ID equipment installed in your drone. |
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FAA’s Declaration of Compliance website lists this information. |
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The Skydio app will perform a pre-flight self-test of the Remote ID system.
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The Skydio app will monitor the Remote ID system.
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To report a Remote ID-related issue with your drone
If your Skydio drone is experiencing an issue with Remote ID, please click or tap here to submit a ticket with our Support Team.
FAQ
[accordion heading="What is Remote ID?"]
In 2021, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) published the Remote ID Rule , laying the foundation for public safety and security needed for more complex drone operations. Remote ID requires drones operating in U.S. airspace to identify themselves by broadcasting information that will enable the authorities to identify commercial operators flying under Part 107 and recreational pilots who are not following the rules.
Drones requiring FAA registration and weighing more than 0.55 pounds must have a Remote ID digital license plate consisting of the drone’s serial number or a session ID specific to a particular pilot and flight. Drones will be required to broadcast that information, as well as the position of the drone and controller. The information will be broadcast locally; however, only authorized individuals from public safety organizations may request the identity of the drone's owner from the FAA.
Remote ID broadcast includes:
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Launch location
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Drone ID - your Skydio ANSI Serial number
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Drone location and altitude
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Drone velocity
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Control station location and elevation
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Time mark
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Emergency status
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Skydio is meeting the FAA Remote ID rule via Standard Remote ID. Skydio drones produced on or after September 16, 2022 will have Remote ID broadcasting capabilities.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="What is a Standard Remote ID Drone?"]
The Standard Remote ID broadcast capability is enabled in Skydio drones produced on or after September 16, 2022. Visit FAA Remote ID for Pilots for more information.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="What is a Session ID?"]
The FAA is currently developing a strategy to assign a Session ID to drone pilots and flights. Session IDs are not enabled for Skydio drones. Visit FAA Remote ID for Pilots for more information.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="What is a Remote ID broadcast module?"]
A broadcast module is a separate device that may be attached onto a drone that does not have Remote ID broadcasting capability. Broadcast modules are not required for Skydio drones.
Visit FAA Remote ID for Pilots for more information.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="What are FAA-Recognized Identification Areas (FRIAs)?"]
The FAA has determined a need for a dedicated space in which drones and radio-controlled model airplanes can fly without Remote ID. An FRIA is a defined geographic area; the unmanned aircraft and the person operating it must be within the FRIA's boundaries and maintain a visual line of sight throughout the flight. Visit FAA Remote ID for Pilots for more information.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="What do I need to do to comply with the Remote ID Rule?"]
Skydio drones purchased before September 16th, 2022 will not be required to broadcast a Remote ID until September 16, 2023. However, we want to make sure you are all set up to be compliant well before the deadline, so on June 12, 2023 we will push out a simple update that will enable Remote ID for your drone when flown with the Skydio Enterprise Controller, Skydio mobile apps (with or without Skydio Controller), or Skydio Beacon/Beacon+ (with or without Skydio mobile apps).
New Skydio drones produced after September 16th, 2022 will have Remote ID broadcasting capabilities enabled. Skydio drones with Remote ID will be identified with a special label.
Mobile device requirement
If you are flying a Skydio 2+ with Remote ID enabled, ensure your mobile device has an integrated GNSS system that, at a minimum, uses GPS with SBAS (WAAS) augmentation as its location source. For more information about device compatibility, visit: What devices work with the Skydio app and Controller?
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="How do I know if my drone has Remote ID enabled?"]
Skydio drones with Remote ID enabled are identified with a special label located inside the battery tray of the drone.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="How do I know if Remote ID is working properly"]
The Skydio app will perform a pre-flight self-test of the Remote ID system.
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The Skydio app will also monitor the Remote ID system. The app will indicate when your drone is broadcasting its Remote ID information.
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[/accordion]
[accordion heading="Can I enable Remote ID on a Skydio drone I already own?"]
If you have a Skydio drone that was produced before September 2022, we will push out a simple update on June 12, 2023 that will enable Remote ID for your Skydio 2, 2+, or X2E drone when flown with the Skydio Enterprise Controller, Skydio mobile apps (with or without Skydio Controller), or Skydio Beacon/Beacon+ (with or without Skydio mobile apps).
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[accordion heading="Do I need to register my remote ID-enabled drone with the FAA?"]
Yes. For registration instructions visit: How to register your Skydio drone at FAA DroneZone
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="Can I continue to fly with my Skydio Beacon/Beacon+"]
Yes! Skydio drones with Remote ID enabled can be flown with Skydio Beacon/Beacon+ (with or without Skydio mobile apps).
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="What information is broadcast?"]
As soon as your Skydio drone connects to the Skydio app, the Skydio Enterprise app, the Skydio Enterprise Controller, or the Skydio Beacon/Beacon+ you broadcast your Remote ID information continuously from launch until your drone is powered off.
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Drone ID - Skydio ANSI Serial number
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Drone location and altitude
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Drone velocity
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Control station location and elevation
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Time mark
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Emergency status
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Remote ID will not broadcast personally identifiable information such as your name, address, or telephone number. Authorized individuals from public safety organizations may request the identity of the drone's owner from the FAA.
[/accordion]
[accordion heading="Will Remote ID function if I am in an area with limited or no cell service?"]
Yes.
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[accordion heading="Do all Skydio drones have Remote ID?"]
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Skydio 2/2+ and Skydio X2E drones produced on or after September 16, 2022 have Remote ID.
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Skydio 2/2+ and Skydio X2E drones produced before September 16, 2022 will receive a simple update on June 12, 2023 to enable Remote ID when flown with the Skydio Enterprise Controller, Skydio mobile apps (with or without Skydio Controller), or Skydio Beacon/Beacon+ (with or without Skydio mobile apps).
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Skydio X2D drones used by the Department of Defense or federal agencies are generally exempt from the manufacturer requirements of the Remote ID rule. However, federal agencies other than the DoD operating non-Remote-ID-enabled drones after September 16, 2023, in United States airspace can only remain compliant if the agency receives an exemption to the operating rules.
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[/accordion]
[accordion heading="Can I disable Remote ID on my drone?"]
No, Remote ID cannot be disabled, as required by the FAA.
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