No fly zone

[Lordy]

I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I could find nothing conclusive on the matter.
Basically there is a drone event in my area soon about teaching responsibility etc and I want to go just for the crack as I know the rules but it would be nice to meet like minded people etc.
Anyway the event is at a small airport so will my mavic even allow me to take off?
Obviously we all have permission to fly at the airport & I have read there is/was a setting to turn off geo fencing or does it just stop the warnings?
Is the setting still there & if so where.

David

 

[pixl]

It helps when you ask questions about laws if people know where you are. Laws vary by country.
Also, it depends whether the airport is listed in DJI's NFZ database.. some small airports aren't.
You also don't say whether or not you are commercially licensed. This matters as well.

 

[Lordy]

Ahh sorry this is my small mind. I am in the UK. I have no licences of any kind relating to drones & havnt registered the drone anywhere but the event provides the opportunity to do this although it is not a law requirement.

 

[pixl]

Perhaps some members from the UK will chime in.

 

[pixl]

Perhaps some members from the UK will chime in.

Maybe add "UK" to the title of the post to get their attention.

 

[Lordy]

I don't really see the importance of where I am though as the point is if the drone will not take off in a geo fenced area or no fly zone it is the same principle.
All I want to know is can I turn it off & if so how.

 

[lisadoc]

I don't really see the importance of where I am though as the point is if the drone will not take off in a geo fenced area or no fly zone it is the same principle.
All I want to know is can I turn it off & if so how.

As noted above, first check to see if the airport is in one of DJI's NFZs. If it isn't, no need to do anything. If it is, it depends on whether or not it is only a warning zone, or if it is "unlockable", or if it is permanently locked. If it's a warning zone, you simply tick the pop-up box and fly as normal. If it is "unlockable", you can request permission via your app and DJI should unlock it for you. If it is in a fully-locked NFZ, the only way is to contact DJI directly and get them to release it for you.

Of course, if you're flying with an older firmware version, you don't need to check with DJI at all and you can simply fly.

 

[pixl]

I don't really see the importance of where I am though as the point is if the drone will not take off in a geo fenced area or no fly zone it is the same principle.
All I want to know is can I turn it off & if so how.

And everything I asked you may be relative to whether you can accomplish what you want. But you don't see "the importance" of it, so I'll simply butt out and let you figure it out yourself.

 

[lisadoc]

And everything I asked you may be relative to whether you can accomplish what you want. But you don't see "the importance" of it, so I'll simply butt out and let you figure it out yourself.

Actually, he wasn't asking about country-specific laws (where it changes the applicable rules). He was asking about the generalized concept of flying in NFZs with DJI products and how that worked (where country-specific laws don't technically matter).

 

[pixl]

Actually, he wasn't asking about country-specific laws (where it changes the applicable rules). He was asking about the generalized concept of flying in NFZs with DJI products and how that worked (where country-specific laws don't technically matter).

But it matters in the sense that DJI may or may not override the NFZ restrictions in some locales/countries and not others, and may also do so only based on class of license. They are all pertinent points.

 

[Lordy]

As noted above, first check to see if the airport is in one of DJI's NFZs. If it isn't, no need to do anything. If it is, it depends on whether or not it is only a warning zone, or if it is "unlockable", or if it is permanently locked. If it's a warning zone, you simply tick the pop-up box and fly as normal. If it is "unlockable", you can request permission via your app and DJI should unlock it for you. If it is in a fully-locked NFZ, the only way is to contact DJI directly and get them to release it for you.

Of course, if you're flying with an older firmware version, you don't need to check with DJI at all and you can simply fly.

Ahh thanks. Does that also mean it would be ok if I just don't use the app at all?
Or maybe one of the alternative apps or would it have updated into the drones firmware?

 

[lisadoc]

Ahh thanks. Does that also mean it would be ok if I just don't use the app at all?
Or maybe one of the alternative apps or would it have updated into the drones firmware?

NFZs and geo-fencing are baked into the firmware (which is why lower firmware versions don't have the same restrictions). The app is only a mechanism to unlock the restrictions (if possible). Using Litchi, Autopilot or other such apps won't resolve the NFZ restrictions (and in fact they can't unlock them for you either). DJI is holding you hostage with their firmware.

If you want true freedom (from registration, sign-in requirements, and NFZ restrictions), fly with .400 FW. No worry about any of this stuff. If you need DJI goggles support, utilize .700 FW.

Your situation is precisely why I fly with the older firmware versions. You're at an airport, you have the full cooperation of the airport itself, full awareness/authorization of everyone involved (tower included), and yet you cannot even start your MP motors without asking the permission of a company located more than 7,000 miles away.

 

[Lordy]

NFZs and geo-fencing are baked into the firmware (which is why lower firmware versions don't have the same restrictions). The app is only a mechanism to unlock the restrictions (if possible). Using Litchi, Autopilot or other such apps won't resolve the NFZ restrictions (and in fact they can't unlock them for you either). DJI is holding you hostage with their firmware.

If you want true freedom (from registration, sign-in requirements, and NFZ restrictions), fly with .400 FW. No worry about any of this stuff. If you need DJI goggles support, utilize .700 FW.

Your situation is precisely why I fly with the older firmware versions. You're at an airport, you have the full cooperation of the airport itself, full awareness/authorization of everyone involved (tower included), and yet you cannot even start your MP motors without asking the permission of a company located more than 7,000 miles away.

Oh well all I can do is try it I suppose. It's not a big deal if I can't fly there & I shouldn't need to in future so without an easy way it's probably not worth it where I am. I have seen jailbreaking too lol but I'm happy enough at the minute.
Thanks for the help

 

[BerndM]

You can also sell the Mavic and try to find a nicely equipped DJI F450 Flamewheel using the NAZA Flight controller.
It wouldn't know an NFZ if it hit it in the nose.