Override of DJI No-Fly Zones - UPDATE

[The Editor]

OK,

This is probably going to stir up a hornets nest but....

After a looooong wait I have heard back that DJI will be implementing an override facility for the Inspire.

HOWEVER - the caveat is, this will only be provided to certified operators who are able to prove their qualification/certification in their country of operation.

Please do not shoot the messenger, I have only heard today and I do not have details of exactly how it will be implemented. However I have had confirmation that this is currently being worked on. Although this originally was going to be by way of a web portal/login, this MAY have been scrapped now in favour of providing copy documents etc linked to serial number.

Obviously, as soon as I hear anything more I will post it up here.

 

[Joola]

I really think they are biting off more than they can chew with this one. I don't see how or why they would want to run a service like this. In some countries, it's easier to establish who a Certified Operator is but I'm curious how they will determine who a Certified Operator is in the countries that allow operations without prior certification. It'll be interesting to see how this is implemented.

I still don't like that DJI has created NFZs where we can legally fly...

 

[protorox]

That's how it should be to be honest. Felons can't own guns, un-licensed pilots can't fly over a stadium. Probably a bad example but I do agree to this. Get certified if you want to take your business further
.

 

[Joola]

...un-licensed pilots can't fly over a stadium...Get certified if you want to take your business further
.

I agree that certification is the best way to further your business but for the law abiding hobbyist, why should they be restricted from flying where the law says they can? The TFRs for stadiums in the US are pretty straightforward. When and where you can't fly isn't open to interpretation. Flying over an empty stadium should be no different than flying over a house or building.

I understand the business decision behind why DJI created permanent NFZs over and around stadiums but I've always been surprised by the lack of outrage that we've been limited in excess of local and federal laws. I've only seen a handful of people on this forum voice their disappointment in this.

 

[protorox]

I think they are just going with the CYA method. (cover your ***) RC planes and helis have been around for a long time I know....BUT this whole "drone" thing is getting very popular and has more attention now then ever. It seems that they simply want to make sure if something goes down they don't get the finger pointed at them for allowing the device to be flown there. I'm sure it will loosen up with time...well I hope.

 

[JayBurd]

What would stop someone from reverse engineering the change to remove NFZ and DIY? You know like unlocking a smartphone.

 

[Kilrah]

What would stop someone from reverse engineering the change to remove NFZ and DIY? You know like unlocking a smartphone.

Nothing, but you can bet they'll lock that as tight as technically possible unlike smartphones that are voluntarily a bit lax... And so much more widespread.

Get certified if you want to take your business further.

In my origin country there is no need for certification, nor any certification I could get to show dji even if I wanted... Yet there are dji NFZ's. What do I do?


Envoyé de mon SM-G920F en utilisant Tapatalk

 

[JayBurd]

In my origin country there is no need for certification, nor any certification I could get to show dji even if I wanted... Yet there are dji NFZ's. What do I do?

Pay someone to unlock your Inspire 1 -- I meant to remove the NFZ in firmware.

 

[The Editor]

In my origin country there is no need for certification, nor any certification I could get to show dji even if I wanted... Yet there are dji NFZ's. What do I do?


Envoyé de mon SM-G920F en utilisant Tapatalk

That one I'm afraid I can't answer. DJI will obviously have to think this through and I am sure the legal suits will be involved to absolve them of any responsibility.
It may be that they target the 'easy' countries first where individuals can provide a hard copy document and then figure out how they will tackle the 'non certification' areas. However, that would be a little unfair but then when have DJI worried about being fair.

 

[The Editor]

Can I humbly ask, Why would you want this NO FLY zones removed?

I'm a professional photographer and I cannot come up with one single idea of a situation where I would need this. Thus my question, I really would love to know a situation where you would want this.

For example, say a private pilot school would want a nice aerial image of their newly built hanger inside of the airport.

WELL, I'm in a NO FLY zone, I cannot take an image with my inspire. HOWEVER, I am talking to a "pilot school"!!!! All I would do is say, I cannot fly my drone in your airspace. So, can you take me up in your plan and let me stick my camera out a window and I'll photograph your building that way.

I honestly do not want to stir the mess....I honestly want to know.

Thanks for your response.

Kirk

Hi Kirk,
There could be many reasons but I can give you one I have at the moment.
I have been asked to video a military band whilst they rehearse on a parade ground in front of a beautiful barracks building.
The shots I will be able to get will be fantastic. I will be doing a three camera shoot - one locked off, one handheld and an aerial platform. I will be able to fly over the barracks to a reveal shot of the band in full military dress performing. Additionally, doing close low passes over their heads as they march under the Inspire. These shots would be impossible to get even with a crane.
The only problem I have....... The parade ground is located on a military base and, you guessed it....its a NFZ.

 

[The Editor]

Thank you!

Another one - A local Go Karting school wants me to video their track in action and do some promotional video of following the carts around the track as well as some higher level stuff to take in the whole facility.
The track is directly under the approach of a runway.
I have already spoken to ATC and we have worked out some suitable timings (they have regular flight school there) - so clearance will be granted.
But......yup....... NFZ strikes again!
I am fortunate in that I can fly other rigs but I do like flying the Inspire if I can for its sheer convenience and the ability to stream 720p to the ground for the client to see.
Hopefully the NFZ override service will be available soon or I will have to invest in a Lightbridge 2 for my other platforms.

 

[Joola]

I'm a professional photographer and I cannot come up with one single idea of a situation where I would need this. Thus my question, I really would love to know a situation where you would want this.

I am a hobbyist and an architect. I like to document buildings in the environment. I want to take aerial photos and video of my local stadium but cannot afford to have a helicopter fly me around with a long lens. The FAA says I can fly my drone near and even over the stadium when there isn't a TFR. DJI says I can never fly my drone near the stadium

 

[SteveT1]

Another one - A local Go Karting school wants me to video their track in action and do some promotional video of following the carts around the track as well as some higher level stuff to take in the whole facility.
The track is directly under the approach of a runway.
I have already spoken to ATC and we have worked out some suitable timings (they have regular flight school there) - so clearance will be granted.
But......yup....... NFZ strikes again!
I am fortunate in that I can fly other rigs but I do like flying the Inspire if I can for its sheer convenience and the ability to stream 720p to the ground for the client to see.
Hopefully the NFZ override service will be available soon or I will have to invest in a Lightbridge 2 for my other platforms.

So in the US what is a certified operator?

 

[The Editor]

So in the US what is a certified operator?

That one is between DJI and the FAA - that's probably what's taking the time!
Thankfully I do not have that issue and I can demonstrate CAA permission via documentation.

 

[Joola]

Are you sure??? I flew over the superdome in New Orleans no problem!!!

Yes, I'm very sure. Not every stadium has been added to DJI's list, however they continue to add more and more over time. For instance, in Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium is a NFZ but the Memorial Coliseum is not. The Coliseum is subject to an FAA TFRs any time the Trojans play there.

For reference, this DJI page has an updated list of the NFZs that affect the Inspire 1 and Phantom 3. You'll notice many stadiums have been added under the "Special Category" heading. These register in the flight controller as a NFZ and you cannot arm or fly in the vicinity.

In my opinion, the solution to this issue is simple. Keep the special category designation but don't make it a NFZ. It should just be a warning zone. If you enter the area, there should be an alert in the Go App informing the operator they are entering airspace that is subject to TFR during certain circumstances and it's the operator's responsibility to adhere to all local and federal laws regarding operations in this airspace.

edit: I just looked at the Superdome and it is now on the Special Category list. When did you do this flight? Chances are you couldn't do it again if you tried now....

 

[SteveT1]

Yes, I'm very sure. Not every stadium has been added to DJI's list, however they continue to add more and more over time. For instance, in Los Angeles, Dodger Stadium is a NFZ but the Memorial Coliseum is not. The Coliseum is subject to an FAA TFRs any time the Trojans play there.

For reference, this DJI page has an updated list of the NFZs that affect the Inspire 1 and Phantom 3. You'll notice many stadiums have been added under the "Special Category" heading. These register in the flight controller as a NFZ and you cannot arm or fly in the vicinity.

In my opinion, the solution to this issue is simple. Keep the special category designation but don't make it a NFZ. It should just be a warning zone. If you enter the area, there should be an alert in the Go App informing the operator they are entering airspace that is subject to TFR during certain circumstances and it's the operator's responsibility to adhere to all local and federal laws regarding operations in this airspace.

edit: I just looked at the Superdome and it is now on the Special Category list. When did you do this flight? Chances are you couldn't do it again if you tried now....

The White House is now a Special Area also, it used to be a No Fly Zone...

 

[skylabimaging]

so glad i opted to trade the inspire for s1000....while nfz's on the inspire aren't a problem currently, i do foresee in the future a lot of nfz being implemented

Good on you for getting the ball rolling on this for everyone Editor

 

[SuperPete]

so quick question about actual NFZ and extra large circle around it.
I am near airport and if I look on DJI website I see circle around airport, when I am flying on my drone there is circle 3 times larger than that circle on the DJI site, can I fly in to that "buffer zone"???

 

[Redtazdog]

At one time there was many more places to ride a dirt bike or rv and now many are now closed to bikes because of damage to private land, noise ect ect.
At one time there was many more places to go hunting than now until dumb asses shot up road signs, used a washing machine for a target then left it, shot in the direction of people or over a hill ect ect.
People that are not responsible and damage property or people are the ones that screw all of us
and cause all of these restrictions.
Just give it time and a nfz will be on school grounds because one may fall from the sky and hit a child, parks as one may crash and hit a person, over lakes or water because the battery will contaminate the water, state forest and blm lands because a crash could cause a fire when the battery shorts out or ????
Give it time and the
only place you can fly will be on your property or in a designated rc park if this BS continues.
We don't need DJI to be our government and play with restrictions as the good will stay within the laws and no matter what the bad will still fly in restricted zones, just like a felon can still get a gun or anything they want any way they want, so rules and restrictions only screw the good guy.
There is places that a car is restricted to go but you will not see it hit an invisible wall because
its a restricted area for motorized vehicles.
For those of you that think DJI doing these nfz,s are a good thing, you will soon change your mind when your favorite place to fly is shut down because of the spotted owl or some other BS thing they can think up.

 

[B Dog]

so quick question about actual NFZ and extra large circle around it.
I am near airport and if I look on DJI website I see circle around airport, when I am flying on my drone there is circle 3 times larger than that circle on the DJI site, can I fly in to that "buffer zone"???

It's a no fly zone at the centre ( R1) and then a 15 degree sloping flight height limit starting at 66 feet R2 that that extends out 1 mile from the R1 zone. It's detailed in the manual under the flight app section.