Aircraft warnings

[Melvoid]

I think I read there is a warning that can come up on the RC for near by planes when flying. I have never had such a warning come up. Do others get a notice that there is a plane nearby? I had a close call the other day and wow that might be too much excitement.

Yes, I've been getting them lately for small planes. If a jetliner is overhead, it doesn't show on my screen, probably because of its altitude. When I get the warning, I either land or hover nice and low until it's out of range, even if it's obviously higher than I intent to be.

 

[groggysbird]

Exactly how it is supposed to work. Of course this is dependent on whether the manned acft has a transponder on board and whether they turn it on. From my understanding they are required when they are landing. So if they are flying that low they should be landing or a rescue helicopter. If a plane is flying at 150 feet with no transponder maybe they work for the cartel. HA-HA

Only Class B and Class C airports require ADS-B transponder Class D and Class E do not require it per FAA rules

 

[Melvoid]

Only Class B and Class C airports require ADS-B transponder Class D and Class E do not require it per FAA rules

Don't know much about all that, but in the past months, whenever I see a small plane, I get the warnings.

 

[Droning on and on...]

Only Class B and Class C airports require ADS-B transponder Class D and Class E do not require it per FAA rules

...and these airports broadcast an integrated ADS-B signal that includes everything on radar with a transponder, whether equipped with ADS-B Out or not.

So, if you can receive this signal where you are flying you have pretty good coverage of the airspace, including aircraft that are not transmitting ADS-B.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

same experiences here with my classic. As soon as the warning appears you can almost immediately hear or see the plane.

Have seen the warnings also. Although I drop altitude, the manned a/c is usually well above our 400' limit.

 

[Droning on and on...]

The aircraft warnings are entirely dependent on whether the aircraft in question is broadcasting ADS-B signals. Broadcasting ADS-B is strongly recommended by the FAA but there are a lot of small planes in the U.S. that don't have that hardware onboard.

Not entirely true.

Airports integrate data from radar into the ADS-B broadcast from the airport, making it possible for AirSense to "see" traffic that isn't equipped with ADS-B Out.

Also, ADS-B Out units forward traffic that they directly receive from other aircraft, so Airsense may be aware of traffic that it's not receiving ADS-B from directly.

 

[AlanL]

Not entirely true.

Airports integrate data from radar into the ADS-B broadcast from the airport, making it possible for AirSense to "see" traffic that isn't equipped with ADS-B Out.

Also, ADS-B Out units forward traffic that they directly receive from other aircraft, so Airsense may be aware of traffic that it's not receiving ADS-B from directly.

True as long as you are near enough to an airport with your flight to receive the notification.

The FAA never did actually make it a mandatory requirement for all manned aircraft to broadcast ADS-B beyond airspace defined as Class A,B, or C. The requirements for ATC managed airspace is defined in 14 CFR §91.225.

 

[howardK]

I think you're mistaken.

I respectfully disagree with you. I live just outside of a NFZ for commercial aircraft. If a plane is near by (and i have no idea how far away) i will get a warning on my phone screen saying words to the affect "Caution, aircraft in the area"

 

[Droning on and on...]

True as long as you are near enough to an airport with your flight to receive the notification.

Well, uh, yeah, of course.

You also can't hear sounds if you're too far away. News to anyone?

 

[MS Coast]

I respectfully disagree with you. I live just outside of a NFZ for commercial aircraft. If a plane is near by (and i have no idea how far away) i will get a warning on my phone screen saying words to the affect "Caution, aircraft in the area"

DJI Airsense CANNOT be depended upon to notify you of all nearby manned aircraft. Many manned aircraft are not required to have ADS-B at all, and they frequently operate in locations where there is no radar integrated ADS-B coverage for them. VFR traffic outside controlled airspace does not require ADS-B. Military aircraft frequently fly without ADS-B.

ADS-B requirements are not linked to aircraft altitude.

Airsense is worth using and it does provide alerts for some manned aircraft. Trusting it to alert you for all manned aircraft is misguided and dangerous.

 

[Droning on and on...]

I'd like to be wrong, but I insist the Mavic Pro (the first folding DJI consumer drone) does not have Airsense.

The Mavic Pro was released in September 2016. DJI didn't announce Airsense until late 2019, stating that it would be included in all future models over 250g starting in 2020.

I don't think the original Mavic Pro was still even in production in 2020.

It simply is impossible for a Mavic Pro to receive ADS-B signals.

I'm not saying @howardK didn't see what he claims, but it didn't come from an ADS-B broadcast received by his Mavic Pro.

 

[Droning on and on...]

DJI Airsense CANNOT be depended upon to notify you of all nearby manned aircraft. Many manned aircraft are not required to have ADS-B at all, and they frequently operate in locations where there is no radar integrated ADS-B coverage for them. VFR traffic outside controlled airspace does not require ADS-B. Military aircraft frequently fly without ADS-B.

While no one says it, my opinion is ADS-B has largely been replaced/augmented by RID, in concept. We'll know if some future regs show up requiring GA aircraft to start broadcasting RID, or some melding together of ADS-B (large aircraft) and RID (sUAS) and radar data to create a comprehensive airspace traffic and collision management system in high traffic, urban areas.

 

[Roofdrone]

Thanks for all the great response. Yesterday I flew my Mavic 3 Pro for 30 minuets and Wow, I had 2 low flying planes go over me and a really low helicopter go over me. NO ADS or what ever it is called warning. Is it turned off? Or...maybe those guys just weren't broadcasting. Would be cool to get the warning.

 

[davidarmenb]

I got it once on my Air 3. I heard the LAFD chopper and instantly saw a notification on my RC2 about a nearly aircraft. Turned to the left and saw the heli rise above the hill. It was flying extremely low, definitely below 400ft. It was pretty cool to see it in action.

 

[sawman]

Thanks for all the great response. Yesterday I flew my Mavic 3 Pro for 30 minuets and Wow, I had 2 low flying planes go over me and a really low helicopter go over me. NO ADS or what ever it is called warning. Is it turned off? Or...maybe those guys just weren't broadcasting. Would be cool to get the warning.

Make sure it's turned on in the settings. And, yes those aircraft may be operating (legally) without ADS-B. I have numerous agricultural aircraft operating around me and only a couple of them have the capability, for when they are operating near airports. The medivac helicopter based at my hometown has it and uses it continuously, despite being 30 miles outside of controlled airspace.
Point is, you never really know so operate respectively.

 

[Ricardo133]

Hi I have a mini 3 DJI I just got yesterday I am getting tons of warnings off this feature .I was reading where a gentleman was asking cause he has not seen one .I live in Knoxville TN near Tyson airport military and national gaurd are located .I guess my question is does altitude have anything to do with this cause I get some many but I can almost ready the numbers on the aircrafts when they fly .and if some one can give me some leads on how to handle all the restriction so I don't get in trouble. Please pass it forward .thanks and have a great day

 

[MS Coast]

Hi I have a mini 3 DJI I just got yesterday I am getting tons of warnings off this feature .I was reading where a gentleman was asking cause he has not seen one .I live in Knoxville TN near Tyson airport military and national gaurd are located .I guess my question is does altitude have anything to do with this cause I get some many but I can almost ready the numbers on the aircrafts when they fly .and if some one can give me some leads on how to handle all the restriction so I don't get in trouble. Please pass it forward .thanks and have a great day

First of all, good on you for being responsible and sensible enough to ask questions, learn the regulations and fly safely.

If you're able to read the aircraft numbers, you may be in FAA controlled airspace and should not be flying without LAANC authorization. Pardon me if I'm not correct in assuming that you're pretty new to this. I'll mention a few things new drone owners need to be aware of.

The TRUST certificate - required for all recreational drone pilots. It's free, educational, available online, and mandatory.

The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) | Federal Aviation Administration

What is TRUST? The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement.

www.faa.gov

B4YouFly - An FAA free service made available through several providers. It allows you to check flight limitations at any location. Avision is one provider.

Avision

app.avision.io

LAANC - Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability, pronounced "lance." An online service that provides automated authorization for flights in many locations within FAA controlled airspace, available free from several providers, online and as an app.

UAS Data Exchange (LAANC) | Federal Aviation Administration

Starting on February 20 Recreational Flyers may request an airspace authorization to operate in controlled airspace at night through LAANC and before you fly, make sure you meet all of the requirements of the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft.

www.faa.gov

 

[StevenBrodsky]

Hi I have a mini 3 DJI I just got yesterday I am getting tons of warnings off this feature .I was reading where a gentleman was asking cause he has not seen one .I live in Knoxville TN near Tyson airport military and national gaurd are located .I guess my question is does altitude have anything to do with this cause I get some many but I can almost ready the numbers on the aircrafts when they fly .and if some one can give me some leads on how to handle all the restriction so I don't get in trouble. Please pass it forward .thanks and have a great day

I live near a small unregulated airport, where small planes are constantly coming and going. most are using ADS-B transmitters. Every time one lands or takes off I get frequent warnings on my Mav3E's controller. This happens about every 5-10 minutes. When I get a warning I check my map and zoom out until I can see where the airplane is and what direction it's going. If it's coming right at me, I drop my altitude as low as I can without losing connection. This is about 150ft or so. The planes are always 700-1500 up when coming in for landing or taking off by the time they get anywhere near my drone. Of course, if i flew right next to the airport, they would be much lower, but I am always flying well away from the landing strip.

 

[rjwmorrell]

Hi I have a mini 3 DJI I just got yesterday I am getting tons of warnings off this feature .I was reading where a gentleman was asking cause he has not seen one .I live in Knoxville TN near Tyson airport military and national gaurd are located .I guess my question is does altitude have anything to do with this cause I get some many but I can almost ready the numbers on the aircrafts when they fly .and if some one can give me some leads on how to handle all the restriction so I don't get in trouble. Please pass it forward .thanks and have a great day

The Mini 3 does not have AirSense, it does not have an ADS-B receiver antennae, so I'm not sure how that's possible. I've been flying the Mini 3 for over a year and never had this alert, and once did a mapping mission in an approach path to the busiest airport in Canada. The DJI forums also state that none of the Mini series are equipped with this antennae, probably to keep the weight down and also because the aircraft is below 250 g in its normal configuration.