Correct me if I'm wrong... but this seems like horrible advice (self-unlocking, no auth)

[karlblessing]

In a nutshell, the guy shows the behavior of trying to fly into a No Fly Zone, then shows that you can just self-unlock it (ie: blatantly just checking the box claiming you're authorized etc). And then recommending to ignore future FlySafe database updates.

 

[DanMan32]

I agree his tone suggests blatant disregard for rules and safety, but....

There are legitimate reasons to unlock authorization zones. DJI puts them along runway approaches even for airports in G space. You're allowed to fly there but would need to be careful about approaching planes.

Even in controlled airspace, you may be allowed to fly at low altitudes but DJI puts an authorization zone, or may have extended the zone a bit too far.

So the instructions are sound in how to unlock as many don't know how, but his motivation is questionable.

 

[karlblessing]

So the instructions are sound in how to unlock as many don't know how, but his motivation is questionable.

Especially telling people not to update the FlySafe database (ie: just ignore warnings all together).

There's also a small comment chain on the youtube page where I bought it up, and claimed that NFZ doesn't mean the same thing in South Africa as it does in the US, despite me pulling up a link to his own country's information, which shows that specific area is a No fly Zone for drones.

His main argument is so that you can return-to-home automatically without the blue zone blocking you if it's in between you and the drone... which doesn't seem right in the first place since you would have to be well beyond VLOS, if you're not just flying along the edge of it. Height was his main argument as to why it wasn't a problem, but in my mind, I can just picture a drone automatically returning to home, cutting across a few runways even if it's low height it would still be very problematic.

I guess at the very list a disclaimer for those new?

And if it's NFZ/Blue in the DJI App, that usually means according to DJI at their best latest information, it's NFZ for that local government as well.

 

[DanMan32]

I suppose his RTH argument has some merit. One can manually fly around the zone, but RTH would beeline. As you said though, you're probably BVLOS, and you should plan for it ahead of time.

The zones often are several miles long going away from the runway so flying low several miles from the runway might not be legal but could be safe. FAA does tend to overreach with their 0 altitude squares miles from the airport. By me it is 0 altitude 4 miles from the airport along an approach path. There are transmission power lines at least 120 ft high cutting across the approach path. If a plane is 120ft high near me, I'm not going to be his problem. He instead is going to have an electrical problem.

 

[Heretik]

Found the answer...whatis a Blue Zone? How to Unlock Geofencing on Your DJI Drone

Accordingly: "Blue zones indicate areas where flying is risky but up to the discretion of the pilot, and may be flown after completing a Self Unlock. We’ll walk you through how to perform a Self Unlock in the next section."

 

[karlblessing]

Found the answer...whatis a Blue Zone? How to Unlock Geofencing on Your DJI Drone

Accordingly: "Blue zones indicate areas where flying is risky but up to the discretion of the pilot, and may be flown after completing a Self Unlock. We’ll walk you through how to perform a Self Unlock in the next section."

In the context of his video, it's listed/described on screen and at the SA' website as a No-Fly-Zone for drones.

 

[Heretik]

In the context of his video, it's listed/described on screen and at the SA' website as a No-Fly-Zone for drones.

Ive no idea of where Caledonia, MI is. Yes I could find out. But the thread I believe was not meant to subvert Blue Zones but how to get around the locked zone set aside for the priviledged killer dog farms, backyard poppy and hash garden plots and child porn studios.

By your avatar I gather you be apposed to goobermint overreach. Im with you there. The fact that Blue Zones are not exclusive then whats the beef. I approach and enter a Class B airdrome without issue, but encounter Blue zone, I need to kiss your ring?