For those of you that may not follow or may not yet be aware, DJI has recently (Jan 13) posted updates to the DJI Fly and DJI Pilot flight apps. This is a major freedom update that removes the enforced No-Fly Zones from those of us in the U.S. This change went into effect last year for the UK (apparently?), and expanded to several other EU countries towards the middle of last year including Belgium, Germany, France and others. The remaining EU countries under EASA should also receive this month.
For newbies, these restricted No-Fly Zones would previously not allow DJI drones to takeoff, land, or fly within these zones. The new modification provides a warning notification, but allows the flight operator (UAV pilot) to make the informed decision to fly or not, and under what parameters.
While restrictions may seem to have been a good thing, the No-Fly restrictions actually discouraged a lot of people from buying DJI drones in the past.
I believe this change is due to the current political tensions, but think it's a good thing for us drone pilots. I know several people that were previously blocked or had to go through hoops and headaches to unlock specific areas that really were not at risk, but falsely identified as such.
From my own perspective, a few years ago, I found out the house I lived at in Colorado had an old unused private farm airport next door. The pilot/owner of the small had died a decade before and the airport unused ever since, but still on the maps and restricted in the DJI flight app. Under the new rules, this will simply give me a warning that I can choose to override.
Now this doesn't mean it's any more of a free for all than previously. Even though DJI will no longer block/restrict the drones from flying around airports, state parks, military areas, the White House, etc. It will still pop up a warning for legitimate pilots. Drones over a certain size will also have the new Remote ID requirements broadcasting their location and making them traceable/trackable by FAA or other Law Enforcement.
Those flying in the Enhanced warning zones are still supposed to obtain airspace clearance from FAA prior to flight.
Malicious flyers or others wanting to skirt the law have always had the option to install firmware hacks or make their own drones without all of the advanced safety and tracking features.
My flying is all legitimate and mostly photography focused, so I actually prefer the safety and tracking features that could also help me find my drone should it ever go wonky or get blown away by super strong winds.
(Mavic 3 folded up and sleeping).
Upgrade was simple, just had to pull my drone out of the camera bag, plug in the drone and update the No-Fly Database.
It then prompted me to update the firmware as well, but afterwards still looked like the same version from July 2024.
I then was prompted and updated the DJI-Fly app on the RC Pro controller. Yes, I REALLY prefer the dedicated controller vs. using the smartphone app to control with adapter. Happy to discuss in depth if anyone interested.
Below you can see map on the controller with the restricted areas identified in orange.
All upgraded and ready to fly!
I see this upgrade as a huge positive. What are your thoughts? Have you upgraded your drone yet?
I think I would prefer a dedicated controller as well. The small one I use in the building has a controller. I need to play around with it a bit more. I think this summer I might try to get out one of the Phantom drones that we have and see if I can get some shots for our new webpage.
Yes, just a few of the really nice difference is that there is a physical switch right on top to easily switch between normal mode with sensors, tripod mode for cinematic and the Speed mode to turn off the sensors and go fast. It also lasts MUCH longer than the smartphone batteries for flying (without draining my phone) I can easily get 3-5 hours of flying out of it. Also makes it more seamless to zoom in and out by just spinning the dial on front of controller without having to take eyes or fingers off the controller. Finally, also makes it easy to turn landing light off and on with pushbutton, or to use that for the fishing hook drop control. The screen is also brighter than my phone, and lastly it eliminates the problems with Android phone compatibility on different versions. I used to fight that, having to wait to update my phone OS or eventually just kept an old phone on legacy software for flying so I could keep my main one up to date and secure. Other benefits for sure, the antennas provide better distance than phone. The list goes on.
Very interesting!
Ow this is good to know. These are also the things you forget to update before heading out.
I like the warning zones are here in the country they make sense.. but indeed..in some other places they are a bit strict.
So this seems reasonable!
Certainly a better model in my world. Shame they had to wait for political fight to make it happen.
I didn't know there were restrictions on flying and wouldn't let drones do!
Well, there was. lol Now it's just a suggestion to keep you out of trouble and put the responsibility back on the pilot where it belongs.
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