My first authorization request was approved

[Jim622]

I live in a town with primarily military-controlled airspace. I submitted an authorization request about a month ago, and it just got approved for a night flight.
It was a pleasant experience. Since this was my first time doing this, I was expecting it to be denied due to an error or something.

Now, the question is, will my drone fly in this space, or will I have to request DJI unlock it for the controlled airspace?

 

[CadrePilot]

Congrats!

I suggest taking your drone there and doing a test 'flight' (w/o actually flying).

 

[Jim622]

That is what I did tonight.
My drone gave me the OK to take off message. So I am good to go.

 

[MavicFlyer2]

Great to hear you made it through the approval stage. I'm interested in this subject as I'm thinking of getting approvals in controlled airspace myself.
I do know I'll have to do a unlock from DJI also,as I fly the Mavic 2 Pro, and I've tryed this before and just haven't gotten back to it yet.
Good luck !

 

[JimSteadman]

If my experience is the same as others, getting the approval from FAA for flying was the easy part. The system works well. It is getting the drone (mini 3 pro) unlocked that proves most daunting. I have been successful exactly twice in perhaps 10 attempts. Frustrating as hell.

 

[Parkerjh]

If my experience is the same as others, getting the approval from FAA for flying was the easy part. The system works well. It is getting the drone (mini 3 pro) unlocked that proves most daunting. I have been successful exactly twice in perhaps 10 attempts. Frustrating as hell.

I don't understand the issue.

If you are in one of DJI's altitude zones or restricted zones, you need to do a custom unlock.
You need to get the FAA approval and upload to DJI Fly Safe Site.
The approvals are very quick and then once that is approved, you will see it in your unlocks on controller and then import to drone and good to go.

I've done over 100 and while it is a frustrating thing to have to deal with, it works 100% of the time. If you are legal to fly and have approvals and want to skip the hassle of getting the unlock from DJI, you can see if there is Drone-Hacks.com available for your drone and firmware version. If so, it is a lifesaver. Saves me literally hours of work every week.

 

[CadrePilot]

I don't understand the issue.

I've done over 100 and while it is a frustrating thing to have to deal with, it works 100% of the time.

You've been very fortunate.

Many have struggled to fly in Class G airspace due to wayward DJI geo zones. I had work work through issues in my own yard.

 

[Parkerjh]

You've been very fortunate.

Many have struggled to fly in Class G airspace due to wayward DJI geo zones. I had work work through issues in my own yard.

that's a DIFFERENT issue. DJI Geo Zones do NOT match with FAA airspace grids and that WILL cause issued (unless you have Drone-Hacks).

OP was asking about when they get an Authorization.

Once you get the authorization, it doesn't automagically unlock drone: You need to take approval and submit custom unlock. It WILL be unlocked.

 

[CadrePilot]

that's a DIFFERENT issue. DJI Geo Zones do NOT match with FAA airspace grids and that WILL cause issued (unless you have Drone-Hacks).

OP was asking about when they get an Authorization.

Once you get the authorization, it doesn't automagically unlock drone: You need to take approval and submit custom unlock. It WILL be unlocked.

Perhaps I'm missing something. My understanding is that when airspace requiring authorization actually matches DJI's geo zone, you need to submit the authorization to unlock it.

Is there another type of lock upon our ability to fly DJI drones?

In contrast, I have flown in airspace that required authorization, but it wasn't a DJI geo zone and no unlocking of the drone was needed.

 

[Parkerjh]

Perhaps I'm missing something. My understanding is that when airspace requiring authorization actually matches DJI's geo zone, you need to submit the authorization to unlock it.

Is there another type of lock upon our ability to fly DJI drones?

I am not sure I understand your questions.

But if you look at DJIs maps: the areas in red (restricted zones) are blocked and you can't fly there.
The areas in grey, you will have a limit on your altitude.

Blue can be self-unlocked.

If you want to fly in a red zone or higher than the altitude in a blue zone, you need to apply for an unlock with DJI.
Once you get the unlock and import to drone, you can fly.

 

[CadrePilot]

I am not sure I understand your questions.

But if you look at DJIs maps: the areas in red (restricted zones) are blocked and you can't fly there.
The areas in grey, you will have a limit on your altitude.

Blue can be self-unlocked.

If you want to fly in a red zone or higher than the altitude in a blue zone, you need to apply for an unlock with DJI.
Once you get the unlock and import to drone, you can fly.

Is there someplace we can browse DJI's maps on our computer? Or can we only seem them on the remote?

I've been flying 107 for nearly 3 years. Flights include plenty of LAANC approvals, some DroneZone, and some restricted airspace were I had to contact the airspace manager. In none of those instances did I encounter any "locked" airspace.

The only place I've encountered "locked" airspace was near the local uncontrolled airport in Class G airspace.

 

[Jim622]

Is there someplace we can browse DJI's maps on our computer? Or can we only seem them on the remote?

I've been flying 107 for nearly 3 years. Flights include plenty of LAANC approvals, some DroneZone, and some restricted airspace were I had to contact the airspace manager. In none of those instances did I encounter any "locked" airspace.

The only place I've encountered "locked" airspace was near the local uncontrolled airport in Class G airspace.

DJI FlySafe

fly-safe.dji.com

 

[CadrePilot]

DJI FlySafe

fly-safe.dji.com

Thanks for the link!

The blue area near our local uncontrolled airport tracks pretty accurately.

The areas I've just reviewed have more colors than Parkerjh mentioned, and don't all align with some of my flight experiences.

 

[Parkerjh]

Bottom line, you simply can't take off in the red areas.

I don't know what you mean by the blue area "tracks accurately". FAA airspace is broken into grids. DJI doesn't use grids so their map will never coincide with FAA airspace.

 

[TheGroove]

After getting approval I always show up to my venue early and work out all the kinks. Sometimes you can get it on self-approval and others you have to submit paperwork for the waiver. In the field this can be frustrating so just make sure you have it tethered to wifi and that you have your paperwork (PDF, etc) ready to submit just to be on the safe side.

 

[Parkerjh]

Looking at the DJI map, you will always know if you were in a zone where you will be able to self unlock, or whether that will not be possible. There should be no surprises.