What are GEO Zones and how do you overcome them?

[chuckm]

I received LAANC authorization to fly today in Class D airspace and tried to launch my Mini. When I did so, a red box showed up at the top of the screen saying GEO Zone. I tapped on the box and up came a pre-flight checklist and an unlock opportunity. Even after unlocking, the DJI Fly app said the drone was unable to fly. It flies just fine a mile away at my house. Any insights on this GEO Zone issue? Thanks.

 

[rangemaster728]

GeoZone unlocking is not available for the Mini yet...other threads on this forum discuss it to death.

DJI has indicated there should be an update out in “late December” to address this...

Look thru this thread...and the explanation of GeoZones:
Mavic Mini DOES NOT support unlock in no fly zones yet!

 

[DanMan32]

It's surprising you'd get LAANC approval in a DJI red zone as usually red zones are right on top of airports where LAANC ceiling is typically zero, but it's possible.
Another reason for red zones are prisons and power plants, which are other areas you should not fly. I don't believe LAANC addresses those.

TFRs are additional areas to look out for that LAANC does not seem to address.

 

[chuckm]

These posts explain a lot. I was trying to fly in a blue zone, not red. Thanks you guys very much. I will anxiously wait for the unlocking update since I have a great place to fly a mile from my house.

 

[DanMan32]

Blue makes sense, particularly within runway approaches.