Safer Skies Act signed into Law.

[Paul2660]

There is no FCC revocation currently. There is only the inability for DJI to obtain new FCC approvals for any new drones that are not already approved, like the still unreleased Avata 360, which was recently FCC approved. All already FCC approved drones remain completely legal to sell and fly in the U.S.., assuming they can get past U.S. Customs, or are already in the U.S..

The question I have is on the Mavic 4 Pro. Was it officially approved by the FCC. It was never formally released in the U.S. from what I understand. I realize that it’s being sold in the US by US vendors like B&H or Adorama. But these are all imported versions. For example the creator combo sold by B&H has all the foreign plugs from DJI and then some cheap US plug thrown in. Outside of the original packing.

Paul

 

[Droning on and on...]

Looks like most didn't bother to follow the link and read the article.

The centerpiece of the article is about the new authority for state and local officials to control drone incursions near mass attendee events like NFL games, etc. Unauthorized drones have been restricted near such events with TFRs for a long time, and I think most drone pilots are fine with that -- I know I am. According to the NFL, there have been over 2000 incursions in the last 3 years. This is what the "Safer Skies Act" is all about, not the NDAA inclusion of DJI on the FCC covered list.

The effective ban on future DJI products that takes effect today by including DJI on the FCC covered list is everything (bad) people are saying here, but that's not what this article was about.

 

[mrgadway]

This is a good listen:

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[Riptide]

The question I have is on the Mavic 4 Pro. Was it officially approved by the FCC. It was never formally released in the U.S. from what I understand. I realize that it’s being sold in the US by US vendors like B&H or Adorama. But these are all imported versions. For example the creator combo sold by B&H has all the foreign plugs from DJI and then some cheap US plug thrown in. Outside of the original packing.

Paul

The Mavic 4 pro was FCC approved back in 2024.

 

[mavic3usa]

Instead of trying to explain it, I will point it out when I see it. We all know the US government is the blame for everything that is happening here.

This is the only grace we received yesterday. Does anyone know if firmware updates will continue to be pushed out to existing models?

This is a question that only DJI can answer....

Yes DJI has stated that they have no plans of stopping that.

....and I've seen a lot of things but I have never seen DJI say that directly (which is why people keep asking). If I missed it, could you please post the reference. DJI should have said it in the recent interview and DJI definitely needs to say it again in response to the yesterday's events so they make it clear. Customers who continue to buy their products want to know, they don't hang out in forums daily, they don't read transcripts, they don't listen to long interviews by global spokesperson. DJI needs to publish something on the US website instead of 404 Error. The government is responsible for the chaos but only DJI is responsible for running the business and DJI needs to step it up a bit. It's not their fault but....don't let the government break you. This is but one question, customers have a dozen more questions that only DJI can answer. That's in addition to the hundred questions for the government which is separate. How the heck is a customer supposed to know which DJI drones have FCC certification? DJI needs to publish a chart on dji.com/fcc. An American should not have to call on the FCC for that.

On the question of firmware updates, it's complicated. In the event a firmware update makes a relevant change to the radio communication or equipment or in this case "a critical component" such as the battery, the update might need some sort of FCC approval. We just don't know for sure. If it does, do you know what that means? It means we might not get that update.

The question I have is on the Mavic 4 Pro. Was it officially approved by the FCC. It was never formally released in the U.S. from what I understand. I realize that it’s being sold in the US by US vendors like B&H or Adorama. But these are all imported versions. For example the creator combo sold by B&H has all the foreign plugs from DJI and then some cheap US plug thrown in. Outside of the original packing.

Paul

Another question for our friends at DJI. I believe the answer is Yes, the M4P has FCC approval and as far as I know, that is all that is needed to qualify for import into the US but DJI can help customers understand there are still other issues that prevent things like service and repair. Have to think about it again based on what I heard yesterday but so far, nothing has changed. This doesn't not mean retailers will still sell it....that's a business decision. Adorama might decide they no longer want to go thru with the process they have in place right now.....

 

[mavic3usa]

Sorry for going off topic a bit, I think there is a more relevant thread posted earlier about this topic. Maybe I'll go over there....

 

[Paul2660]

Actually I did read the article and that is on the Safer sky law which is fine. It basically just reinforces laws that outlaw flying in restricted airspace etc. it’s the FCC ban that is a bit confusing at least for me.

Thanks Riptide for that clarification on the Mavic 4 Pro. The 4 pro is all I really need as it pretty much fixed all the photographic concerns I had with the 2 or 3. It is sad that U.S. flyers will not be able to take advantage of DJI or other brand tech moving forward due to such short sightedness by our lawmakers. The idea that a U.S. drone company could come close to the technology that out there now is crazy. It just won’t happen. What has always amazed me is how Apple which has all their phone made in China is still able to sell them in the U.S. If any device could be capable of sending info back to China it would be a phone.

Rant over

Paul

 

[Droning on and on...]

Don't give up yet, people.

I'm optimistic this will work itself out, and DJI will be back on the shelves before the end of the Trump admin, maybe as soon as by the end of 2026.

This looks to me like a negotiating tool for the Trump admin in the on-going economic battle with China. Trump has a mercurial aspect to his leadership, and just as TikTok and Nvidia have received favorable treatment despite the asserted National Security issues by critics, I'm hopeful DJI will be brought back after a summit with Xi.

Hardly certain by any means. Many can argue otherwise with merit. However, it's also folly to throw in the towel at this point. The pushback by constituents has barely started, and will gain momentum now that the ban is real.

 

[Riptide]

This is a question that only DJI can answer....

....and I've seen a lot of things but I have never seen DJI say that directly (which is why people keep asking). If I missed it, could you please post the reference. DJI should have said it in the recent interview and DJI definitely needs to say it again in response to the yesterday's events so they make it clear. Customers who continue to buy their products want to know, they don't hang out in forums daily, they don't read transcripts, they don't listen to long interviews by global spokesperson. DJI needs to publish something on the US website instead of 404 Error. The government is responsible for the chaos but only DJI is responsible for running the business and DJI needs to step it up a bit. It's not their fault but....don't let the government break you. This is but one question, customers have a dozen more questions that only DJI can answer. That's in addition to the hundred questions for the government which is separate. How the heck is a customer supposed to know which DJI drones have FCC certification? DJI needs to publish a chart on dji.com/fcc. An American should not have to call on the FCC for that.

On the question of firmware updates, it's complicated. In the event a firmware update makes a relevant change to the radio communication or equipment or in this case "a critical component" such as the battery, the update might need some sort of FCC approval. We just don't know for sure. If it does, do you know what that means? It means we might not get that update.

Another question for our friends at DJI. I believe the answer is Yes, the M4P has FCC approval and as far as I know, that is all that is needed to qualify for import into the US but DJI can help customers understand there are still other issues that prevent things like service and repair. Have to think about it again based on what I heard yesterday but so far, nothing has changed. This doesn't not mean retailers will still sell it....that's a business decision. Adorama might decide they no longer want to go thru with the process they have in place right now.....

See:

E

Dji States That App and Firmware US Support Continues After Ban

Dec 12, 2025

From Dji, "Pilots will still receive app support and firmware updates. “As we understand it, operators can continue to use their current DJI equipment,” a DJI spokesperson said. “We have no plans to discontinue product support via firmware or app updates.”

Parts are less certain, so they suggest we contact dealers for answers there.

Will the DJI ban affect repairs? I asked DJI – this is the surprising response

Here's what the upcoming DJI ban in the US means for firmware, repairs, new launches, and more

www.digitalcameraworld.com

• Etbrown4
• Replies: 14
• Forum: General Discussions

• 

 

[mavic3usa]

See:

E

Dji States That App and Firmware US Support Continues After Ban

Dec 12, 2025

From Dji, "Pilots will still receive app support and firmware updates. “As we understand it, operators can continue to use their current DJI equipment,” a DJI spokesperson said. “We have no plans to discontinue product support via firmware or app updates.”

Parts are less certain, so they suggest we contact dealers for answers there.

Will the DJI ban affect repairs? I asked DJI – this is the surprising response

Here's what the upcoming DJI ban in the US means for firmware, repairs, new launches, and more

www.digitalcameraworld.com

• Etbrown4
• Replies: 14
• Forum: General Discussions

• 

A bunch of weasel words not unlike all the other hundred articles that state "DJI says..." or "A representative from DJI says...."

The majority of their customer base continues to be confused and are still asking tons of questions.

 

[Zbip57]

Here's the 9-page public notice issued yesterday by the FCC on Dec 22nd.

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-1086A1.pdf

Supposedly this is all being driven by heightened security concerns surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics.

Appendix-A on pg 4 lists "video surveillance and telecommunications equipment produced or provided by" a specific list of Chinese companies, as well as Kaspersky Lab anti-virus (because it's Russian). Lastly, "all communications and video surveillance equipment and services listed in Section 1709(a)(1) of the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act", which specifically refers to DJI and Autel.

So many questions....

If Chinese drones are a risk to the World Cup and Olympics, what prevents anyone using an American-built drone for similar nefarious purposes?

If all Chinese made communication and video surveillance equipment (and Russian anti-virus software) is considered a threat, what about ubiquitous things like Ring doorbell cameras? They're everywhere. Ring is an American Company, based in Santa Monica California and owned by Amazon, but their devices are manufactured and assembled in China. Look it up.
www.google.com/search?q=what+country+makes+ring+doorbell+cameras

On pg 7 of the FCC notice, you can read the "Summary of Supporting Evidence", which includes gems like this:
"Permitting UAS critical components from foreign countries into the United States undermines the resiliency of our UAS industrial base, increases the risk to our national airspace, and creates a potential for large-scale attacks during large gatherings. Even when marketed as “commercial” or “recreational,” certain legal regimes in foreign countries can compel entities to provide real-time telemetry, imagery, and location data above U.S. soil, or to change the UAS behavior via remote software updates."

That sounds a lot like the same reason that Canada is reconsidering its contract to buy F35 fighter jets from the USA, and instead go with the Swedish F-39 Gripen.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

The hidden downfall.
All the talk is about the drones. Yes the approved and previous drones will still be allowed to be sold and flown in the U.S. under the new law.

However, they added a back door restriction in the decision.

All Foreign Batteries will now be Banned.
If what they said this morning is true, all foreign batteries would include batteries for drones, controllers, mic's, gimbals, and accessories.

So now the questions are:
1) Will this include batteries that would be sold with the drone,
2) Will this include new or replacement batteries being sold separately from the drone,
3) Will this include batteries for the controllers,
4) Will this include batteries for accessories such at Mic's, Gimbals, etc.

They could not stop all current and previously approved drones in the new law, so they are indirectly stopping them by banning the batteries, and all power sources needed to use the drones.

 

[mavic3usa]

The hidden downfall.
All the talk is about the drones. Yes the approved and previous drones will still be allowed to be sold and flown in the U.S. under the new law.

However, they added a back door restriction in the decision.

All Foreign Batteries will now be Banned.
If what they said this morning is true, all foreign batteries would include batteries for drones, controllers, mic's, gimbals, and accessories.

So now the questions are:
1) Will this include batteries that would be sold with the drone,
2) Will this include new or replacement batteries being sold separately from the drone,
3) Will this include batteries for the controllers,
4) Will this include batteries for accessories such at Mic's, Gimbals, etc.

They could not stop all current and previously approved drones in the new law, so they are indirectly stopping them by banning the batteries, and all power sources needed to use the drones.

I made the same comment earlier, probably in a different thread. Do you remember last year when DJI drones were stopped at customs and some of them had their equipment removed and the rest was sent along? I think it prompted DJI to ship the products separately; I remember when I bought my Avata 2 it came in 3 shipments because DJI sent the components not with the drone. We don't know if this is a logistical strategy or if they had equipment built and store in different locations and this process was expedited or was it designed to help with customs. It's not out of the question that a Mavic 4 Pro which is approved by the FCC is stopped by customs, and the batteries and controller is confiscated, and the drone only is sent to the US resident. If this starts happening, that would be a sizable dent in the "already approved, you can keep buying it" sentiment.

As for the "already approved, you can keep flying it" comments, I'll save that analysis for later when there is evidence that is no longer being tolerated.

Glad I have a metric ton of batteries for all of my drones.

 

[BlueHeeler]

Not sure if this discussed in other threads, but what happens to the drones and equipment that government agencies
( local, state and federal ) that were banned from use ? Do they sell them or destroy them ?

 

[Zbip57]

All Foreign Batteries will now be Banned. [...]

"This body also determined that UAS critical components produced in a foreign country pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons and should be included on the FCC’s Covered List, unless the Department of War or Department of Homeland Security makes a specific determination to the FCC that a given UAS critical component does not pose such risks."

UAS Critical Components: For the purpose of this determination, the term “UAS critical
components” includes but is not limited to the following UAS components and any associated
software:
- Data transmission devices
- Communications systems
- Flight controllers
- Ground control stations and UAS controllers
- Navigation systems
- Sensors and Cameras
- Batteries and Battery Management Systems
- Motors

Each and every one of those eight listed "critical components" are similarly included in the Chinese-made Lymow robot lawnmower which I purchased this summer.



Well, maybe not "flight" controller, as the mower is not [yet] flight capable.

Other than that, coupled to an internet-connected phone app, every one of those same Chinese critical components, such as electronic communications and data transmission, autonomous navigation systems, sensors and cameras, electric motors, and battery management system, all exist on this robot mower and must surely present similar unacceptable risks to the apparently shaky national security of the United States. No?

 

[mavic3usa]

Not sure if this discussed in other threads, but what happens to the drones and equipment that government agencies
( local, state and federal ) that were banned from use ? Do they sell them or destroy them ?

Excellent way to test different countermeasure systems and use them to practice drills, shooting down drones, etc. I can see them being repurposed for training uses and other process where drones would be expendable.

Also, this is my personal opinion, the government needs ordinary drones for their false flag operations as well. Let's call it "dronewalking." A rogue modded drone made untraceable with a sordid past is ideal to be found/placed at ground zero of a suspicious explosion or embedded in the wing of a helicopter or flying all over the local airport before it is shot down and a janky phantom is displayed on tv for the public to see it. It reminds me of "Operation Fast and Furious."