GPS Signal when flying in Restricted Zone

WWB586 · Feb 13, 2021

Hi Everyone,
I'm now to the forum, but have been flying my Mavic Pro for a few years now. I recently opened a business in a warehouse that is right next to our local airport, so I cannot take off. I went through the unlocking request on the DJI site so that I could get some overhead shots of the renovation of our (indoor ONLY) space. My request was approved, but because my business is in a metal warehouse, I have poor GPS signal. I can put my drone outside and take off, but as soon as I fly it though a door, it loses GPS and force lands. Does anyone have any ideas how I can get my drone in the air long enough to get the video and photos I need? I find it unbelievable that the unlocking request doesn't carry over to ATTI or OPTI modes once I have taken off in my unlocked zone.

StantonZ · Feb 13, 2021

These particular drones are designed/built to fly with GPS...which means they become unpredictable when no GPS signal is present. Nothing is going to change that (short of a different drone that doesn't require/use GPS).

Thomas B · Feb 13, 2021

Welcome to the forum from the deserts of Arizona! Enjoy.
Go through all your settings even if the name seems wrong.

WWB586 · Feb 13, 2021

StantonZ said:
These particular drones are designed/built to fly with GPS...which means they become unpredictable when no GPS signal is present. Nothing is going to change that (short of a different drone that doesn't require/use GPS).

I understand that they might become unpredictable when GPS is lost, but with that said, if I take off in the unlocked zone, fly 5 feet into my building, regardless of the mode, the drone should still "know" that it is in the unlocked zone. No? If I wasn't in a NFZ, I would be able to fly indoors without the GPS.

slup · Feb 13, 2021

Have you tried to take off indoors without GPS lock..? If already in either ATTI or OPTI the AC doesn't know anything about a NFZ.

WWB586 · Feb 13, 2021

slup said:
Have you tried to take off indoors without GPS lock..? If already in either ATTI or OPTI the AC doesn't know anything about a NFZ.

I wasn't aware that the Mavic has the ability to turn off GPS and be manually forced into ATTI mode. If I power up the drone inside without GPS lock, it still knows that I am in a NFZ. Likely due to my phone and the DJI App? I'll try to throw my phone into Airplane mode and see if I can work the problem that way! Thanks!