GEO Zone unlock problem.

[FhvnEd]

Hello. I keep reading where DJI has stopped requiring GEO Fencing unlock to fly in authorization zones, but something is wrong. I have (literally) hundred of approved unlock requests, but haven't needed on for several months. On Friday I attempted to fly near class B airspace and got a red AUTHORIZATION REQUIRED flag and the drone would not start. I then used the same unlock request form I've used for years and nothing happened...... as in.... (see attached) fill out the form but when the map appeared there were no zones; no time range was there to choose dates and times and it just sat. There was nothing I could do. But the Fencing is still active because I couldn't power up. I went into the controller (RC) menu and finally found a screen that I've seen before where this black box opens telling me I need permission and then it asks if I'm authorized and and a good person and will behave myself and when I check all three boxes and submit, I get a request successful and I can fly. Then magically an authorization license appears in the GEO Zone screen and it uploads to the drone. Anyone have any idea why the standard request form doesn't work like it used to? It took me 20 minutes at the flying site to work through all the hoops to find the right screen. I was hampered by the fact I had no network connection at the site (everything was connected to my home network) so I scrolled into the WIFI settings and had to use the hot spot on my phone to connect to WIFI to get into the settings. Any help/advice/comment is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[MS Coast]

Are your software and firmware revisions up to date?

 

[FhvnEd]

Are your software and firmware revisions up to date?

Yes. Plus the fact I'm doing this from my laptop through my DJI account. Not through the controller.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Yes. Plus the fact I'm doing this from my laptop through my DJI account. Not through the controller.

Update your FlySafe database. That will remove GEO.
It is completely separate from any FW and app updates.

 

[FhvnEd]

I believe I did that. I'm getting no indication an update is available for anything and that usually appears on the controller home screen as soon as I power up. I'll try it and see what happens. Thanks.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I believe I did that. I'm getting no indication an update is available for anything and that usually appears on the controller home screen as soon as I power up. I'll try it and see what happens. Thanks.

It's a completely separate update that is rarely prompted, and usually easily ignored. I had never previously updated mine, and only did so to remove GEO. Hopefully, that's it.

Once you do so, all your unlocks will either disappear or just become irrelevant.
There should be no reason for any future unlocks.

 

[FhvnEd]

Okay. So the GEO Zone unlock screen, which is the first thing I see when I log into my DJI account page should no longer be there? Because it still is.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Okay. So the GEO Zone unlock screen, which is the first thing I see when I log into my DJI account page should no longer be there? Because it still is.

What I am seeing in your screenshot is a historical record of past unlocks.
Probably retained for your records, should you be questioned about a prior flight.
Have you tried flying anywhere that you previously needed an unlock for, after updating the FlySafe database?
The FlySafe database must be updated while the controller is connected to the aircraft, and the controller is connected to the internet.
Have you done that?

 

[FhvnEd]

What I am seeing in your screenshot is a historical record of past unlocks.
Probably retained for your records, should you be questioned about a prior flight.
Have you tried flying anywhere that you previously needed an unlock for, after updating the FlySafe database?
The FlySafe database must be updated while the controller is connected to the aircraft, and the controller is connected to the internet.
Have you done that?

Yeah I have. I'm going to the same location I first had the issue and see if the problem repeats itself. I'll be back.... same bat-time..........same bat-channel!

(1 Hour Later) Okay. Evidently updating the FlySafe database did the trick. Powered up and after starting and syncing I got screen1. 10 seconds later screen2 appeared and when I checked the 'I agree' box, screen3 appeared and I was good to go. Two days ago, from the same site, doing the exact same thing I got the red warning bar saying authorization required and the drone would not start. So All seems to be good. Thanks for all the assistance. Worked like a charm.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Happy to help!
It's basically all self-authorizing now.

 

[FhvnEd]

Happy to help!
It's basically all self-authorizing now.

Self authorizing, but screen 2 still comes up and you have to agree. If you cancel out of it, you can't take off. So DJI has not completely released their control. Funny thing is, I still get that unlock request screen whenever I log in to my DJI account on my laptop. I still comes up on the DJI-FlySafe site as well.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Self authorizing, but screen 2 still comes up and you have to agree. If you cancel out of it, you can't take off. So DJI has not completely released their control. Funny thing is, I still get that unlock request screen whenever I log in to my DJI account on my laptop. I still comes up on the DJI-FlySafe site as well.

I agree. It's annoying to have to still try and accurately hit those checkboxes, just like before, but the prior unlock requirement is now gone. The removal apparently still leaves bread crumbs behind, that should be gone. For new users, that would not be the case. We've been in prison, so we're still on parole! LOL!

However, GEO from Mexico still bleeds across the border into the U.S. requiring unlocks in those areas where their airports limit one to 500m instead of 1000m when within 50km of the airport, and you want to mountain climb within that radius.

 

[FhvnEd]

True. I'm guessing a couple firmware/flysafe updates down the road may clear out all the remaining gremlins. Early on I owned a Yuneec Typhoon H+. It never had GEO fencing. Just turn it on and fly. Didn't matter where. It ultimately proved too big for what I needed so I went back to DJI, but you didn't have to jump through all these hoops to get airborne.