Another LAANC question

[JCapps]

I guess I won't be flying when I get there. I tried to get authorization today and in the future and I get the same message.

 

[eEridani]

I guess I won't be flying when I get there. I tried to get authorization today and in the future and I get the same message.

Okay - I didn't notice it on the sectional - but Tyndall is a true restricted airspace: R-2905A.



Jan 1, 2011 — R-2905 is used by Tyndall AFB for launch and recovery of manned and unmanned drone aircraft and missile systems. VFR pilots are not permitted to ...

https://www.tyndall.af.mil/Portals/107/documents/AFD-110201-018.pdf?ver=2016-02-17-113504-487

 

[JCapps]

Ok thanks. It's interesting that there is aerial pictures of the house they just bought and I figured that was drone footage.

 

[eEridani]

Ok thanks. It's interesting that there is aerial pictures of the house they just bought and I figured that was drone footage.

lol - therein lays a question: was the image acquired legally. I suspect if you ask the realtor driving the drone about the law, the realtor isn't even aware they need a pilots license to fly it; let alone the airspace is restricted. On the other hand, there are ways to obtain a waiver and approval to fly in restricted airspace. A licensed realtor or commercial drone-photographer might go through the steps.

 

[JCapps]

lol - therein lays a question: was the image acquired legally. I suspect if you ask the realtor driving the drone about the law, the realtor isn't even aware they need a pilots license to fly it; let alone the airspace is restricted. On the other hand, there are ways to obtain a waiver and approval to fly in restricted airspace. A licensed realtor or commercial drone-photographer might go through the steps.

Yea that's kinda what I was thinking. Also some drone operators are oblivious to the laws.

 

[skycam509]

I was just going to write about this issue. I had LAANC approvals for a flight in Class D airspace to 100' from Aloft, but the drone insisted I was in restricted airspace with "NO TAKEOFF" in bright red. I tried everything I could to get DJI approval and to unlock it but it was a no-go. It was on a job but luckily the aerial was an optional shot which I hadn't promised. What a terrible situation. My assistant tried for hours to get the DJI approvals. On my remote control, it thought I was in a no-fly area under an approach path, but Aloft showed 100' and got approval instantly 3 times during that day. I tried to find out where to input the approval code into the app and or controller but had no luck. Not sure how DJI can lock you out of a flight when the FAA gives approval. That is terrible for business! I was using my Mavic 3.

Kinda makes you want to have a non-DJI backup drone, doesn't it? I've thought about this for just such a situation.

 

[Parkerjh]

This is the type of thing.I was expecting to have problems with. I guess I won't know until I get there and try. It will be my luck that It will be a no fly for me. Time will tell.

This confuses a lot of people. However, it's not complicated.

DJI geozones are not the same as FAA airspace. It's two completely different things.

When you apply for LAANC, this has absolutely nothing to do with DJI's maps nor would DJI or your controller or drone have any idea that your flight was approved


It's a two-step process. First, make sure you are legal to fly. You might already be in an area where it is okay to fly but DJI restricts flight. So get your approval. Typically LAANC or DroneZone airspace authorization.

THEN, you need to unlock that space with DJI. Some areas can be self unlocked, and as long as you're logged in, you can unlock it. Other restricted areas or altitude zones, cannot be unlocked. These need to be unlocked through DJI at their fly-safe website.

Submit the unlocking request using the LAANC approval. Then, you'll see the unlocking approval in your app and you need to import to drone.

It's not a situation of sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There's nothing tricky about it. It's just a pain in the ***. But you need to follow the correct steps. I've done literally hundreds and hundreds of these, and have never had a problem.

Conversely, if you want to skip the process of having the drone unlocked once you have your proper approvals, use Drone-Hacks.com If available for your drone and firmware.

 

[JCapps]

This confuses a lot of people. However, it's not complicated.

DJI geozones are not the same as FAA airspace. It's two completely different things.

When you apply for LAANC, this has absolutely nothing to do with DJI's maps nor would DJI or your controller or drone have any idea that your flight was approved


It's a two-step process. First, make sure you are legal to fly. You might already be in an area where it is okay to fly but DJI restricts flight. So get your approval. Typically LAANC or DroneZone airspace authorization.

THEN, you need to unlock that space with DJI. Some areas can be self unlocked, and as long as you're logged in, you can unlock it. Other restricted areas or altitude zones, cannot be unlocked. These need to be unlocked through DJI at their fly-safe website.

Submit the unlocking request using the LAANC approval. Then, you'll see the unlocking approval in your app and you need to import to drone.

It's not a situation of sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. There's nothing tricky about it. It's just a pain in the ***. But you need to follow the correct steps. I've done literally hundreds and hundreds of these, and have never had a problem.

Conversely, if you want to skip the process of having the drone unlocked once you have your proper approvals, use Drone-Hacks.com If available for your drone and firmware.

Great info. Thank you