Flying in restricted zone.

[Doug 3d]

I live near DC and my mini wont fly. My friend has another brand GPS camera drone that has no problem- why?

 

[rangemaster728]

Welcome to the forum...

Just because a drone has GPS doesn’t mean they all work the same.

Your problem is due to DJI’s Geo Zone ‘feature’:

DJI - The World Leader in Camera Drones/Quadcopters for Aerial Photography

As the market leader in easy-to-fly drones and aerial photography systems, DJI quadcopters like the Phantom are the standard in consumer drone technology.

www.dji.com

If you live in an area with FAA flight restrictions you might want to see if you can legally fly there...

I would also encourage you to download the FAA B4UFLY app; it can also give you some insight.

 

[sar104]

Welcome to the forum...

Your problem is due to DJI’s Geo Zone ‘feature’:

DJI - The World Leader in Camera Drones/Quadcopters for Aerial Photography

As the market leader in easy-to-fly drones and aerial photography systems, DJI quadcopters like the Phantom are the standard in consumer drone technology.

www.dji.com

And because flying near DC is simply illegal - it's covered by a "permanent" TFR.

 

[Doug 3d]

Thanks for the warm welcome!
So this is a voluntary feature and not mandatory?
I guess my friend is breaking the law?

 

[Camino Ken]

It depends on exactly where you are. Falls Church, VA seems to be 4 to 5 miles away from DC so you may not be limited by the TFR restriction. It could be a different airspace restriction. It’s also possible that you can unlock to fly. I use the VFR sectionals but many use various apps to determine the class of airspace.

 

[sar104]

It depends on exactly where you are. Falls Church, VA seems to be 4 to 5 miles away from DC so you may not be limited by the TFR restriction. It could be a different airspace restriction. It’s also possible that you can unlock to fly. I use the VFR sectionals but many use various apps to determine the class of airspace.

It's a 30 NM radius restriction:

 

[Camino Ken]

It's a 30 NM radius restriction:

View attachment 89679

Thanks, I did not know that.

 

[Doug 3d]

Thanks all!
I assume that since I am in the red zone, there is no work around?

 

[sar104]

Thanks all!
I assume that since I am in the red zone, there is no work around?

No legal workaround.

 

[OzzieHerr]

What’s best iPhone app or source for sectional charts for a general area not necessarily around an airport? Just want to see boundaries of any MOA’s, and restricted areas, on my phone.

 

[hiflyer201]

What’s best iPhone app or source for sectional charts for a general area not necessarily around an airport? Just want to see boundaries of any MOA’s, and restricted areas, on my phone.

The best Iphone app is FOREFLIGHT but it's expensive for drone flying.. 100 bucks a year..for any pilot it's super cheap considering how expensive charts are and the fact that you have to carry current charts covering any flight you make. With a Ipad or Iphone you are geo located on the sectional.
Garmin makes a similar app for android.
I bet any pilot at your local airport would help you get a used sectional if you asked.

 

[Thomas B]

What’s best iPhone app or source for sectional charts for a general area not necessarily around an airport? Just want to see boundaries of any MOA’s, and restricted areas, on my phone.

The best Iphone app is FOREFLIGHT but it's expensive for drone flying.. 100 bucks a year..for any pilot it's super cheap considering how expensive charts are and the fact that you have to carry current charts covering any flight you make. With a Ipad or Iphone you are geo located on the sectional.
Garmin makes a similar app for android.
I bet any pilot at your local airport would help you get a used sectional if you asked.

There are vendors who will charge, but FAA sectional charts are free from FAA. Get them here:

Sectional Aeronautical Chart

www.faa.gov