No More GEO Fence lockout.

[Vic Moss]

This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Let's hope people still educate themselves about where they can safely fly. But at least those of use that do know, and already have permission, won't have to get unlocks anymore.

DJI Updates GEO System in U.S. Consumer & Enterprise Drones

DJI updates its geofencing system in the U.S. to align with FAA regulations, enhancing drone operator control and safety. Learn about the latest changes and their impact.

viewpoints.dji.com

 

[Droning on and on...]

If I understand this correctly, DJI drones will no longer refuse to operate in NFZs, is this correct? I read the linked article, and that wasn't entirely clear to me.

For the law-abiding pilot, this is a very good thing. First, it maintains 100% full control of the aircraft when an unintentional incursion into a restricted zone, which really was a violation of the rules by DJI. Hard to hold the pilot responsible if something adverse occurs and the pilot was helpless to control the drone and avoid the problem.

Second, it gets rid of the problem of getting trapped by some odd configuration of "upside down wedding cake" restriction around airports and ATC regions. Rare, but it's happened a few times to fellow members.

 

[GFields]

I understand your point. Although I have always argued that it is the pilot's responsibility to know and take measures where they fly not everyone did and DJI's unlock method held you to that. I never liked having to get a waiver and then do the unlock thing but did know in the back of my mind it was a good thing especially for beginners

 

[akdrone]

I just updated my Avata 1 and it still does not want to let me fly. I am in a Class D area which is understandable but I'm still not entirely sure what the parameters of this change are. Perhaps it's just Restricted Zones that have changed.

 

[akdrone]

If I understand this correctly, DJI drones will no longer refuse to operate in NFZs, is this correct? I read the linked article, and that wasn't entirely clear to me.

For the law-abiding pilot, this is a very good thing. First, it maintains 100% full control of the aircraft when an unintentional incursion into a restricted zone, which really was a violation of the rules by DJI. Hard to hold the pilot responsible if something adverse occurs and the pilot was helpless to control the drone and avoid the problem.

Second, it gets rid of the problem of getting trapped by some odd configuration of "upside down wedding cake" restriction around airports and ATC regions. Rare, but it's happened a few times to fellow members.

I don't think that's correct. I only read about Restricted Zones so far which is a particular type of zone. As I mentioned in another post here, I live in a Class D zone which goes to the floor and I still have to have a DJI unlock request in place to fly here. Locally one great change is that recently this zone became available for LAANC permissions; previously one had to go through DroneZone and get special permission to fly. Now it can be provided immediately although only to 200feet.

 

[TheGroove]

This is both a good thing and a bad thing. Let's hope people still educate themselves about where they can safely fly. But at least those of use that do know, and already have permission, won't have to get unlocks anymore.

DJI Updates GEO System in U.S. Consumer & Enterprise Drones

DJI updates its geofencing system in the U.S. to align with FAA regulations, enhancing drone operator control and safety. Learn about the latest changes and their impact.

viewpoints.dji.com

Exactly, really looking forward to not having to pair up my controller to my phone's hotspot and going through that whole routine while out in the field. I dreaded not knowing whether or not I would have a signal.

As for why they made this decision it's hard to really say but they were being volunteer gatekeepers so it's their right to pull it if they want. Also have to wonder if the restrictions were driving consumers to other manufacturers who never did it.

 

[mavic3usa]

I rarely if ever see these zones but the few times I saw them where I got warnings while flying, I completely avoided for fear of getting sucked into something I didn't recognize. Hopefully that goes away.

 

[TheGroove]

I rarely if ever see these zones but the few times I saw them where I got warnings while flying, I completely avoided for fear of getting sucked into something I didn't recognize. Hopefully that goes away.

I see them a lot in the city where I fly but am aware of where they are and steer clear anyway. My guess is with Remote ID they'll know who you are anyway, it's really just a case of personal responsibility, I look at it as if the FAA were to view and question my flight, could I explain it all to them. If not, then it's a big risk for the pilot.

 

[DesecratedClown]

Never been a problem for me because my Mavics are modified into UCAV's muahahahahaha

 

[akdrone]

I see them a lot in the city where I fly but am aware of where they are and steer clear anyway. My guess is with Remote ID they'll know who you are anyway, it's really just a case of personal responsibility, I look at it as if the FAA were to view and question my flight, could I explain it all to them. If not, then it's a big risk for the pilot.

They have to be pretty close to be able to “see” you with remote ID.