DJI Fly App Huge Change - Most DJI Geo-Fencing Zones Now Gone 

This is what it is getting ready for network-enabled RID, when that is in play NATS will give the fly no fly command to your controller via the interwebs. You will have to be connected to the internet before you can fly when network RID comes in. The UK has not yet released their map to manufacturers, most of the EU have. Where does Dronescene get its aviation data from? I am interested because you suggest its better than AA.

Hi Ian, When you now use the app does is display failed to load dynamic geo safe data?

Thanks 😀👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks for the good words! And sadly we seem to be following the US or the US will be following Europe. So what you see here may well be coming your way before too long anyway..... 👍🏻

Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

Thank you 👍🏻👍🏻

I'm worried that someone can now buy a drone and fly it anywhere they like without even needing to check the CAA rules. They can now claim ignorance with "the app allowed me to fly there so it must be fine"

Yes, I'm hoping that the automatic update starts and we get meaningful, accurate restrictions instead of the mess we've been putting up with until now

@@IaninLondon 100% agree! The DJI zones have been terrible for years now, no meaningfully representation on actual FRZs at all.

Frauditors will be on this in a flash. Especially you know who...

Prisons are still shown on the DJI Fly App map, so no excuse for flying near one.

Cheers Bob! 🤠👍🏻

I've just checked again; only the orange warning zones are on the flysafe map. so nothing has reappeared?

@@IaninLondonall the geo zones have reappeared for me

​@@IaninLondon You were right. I was looking on the "fly spot map" they still appear here but not on the actual drone map. 👍

Cheers Stephen! Yep, Finland isn't on the list yet but probably coming soon... (but you've got plenty of space up there anyway!🤠). See you on the 6th March 👍🏻

Thanks 👍

It's less work for DJI so I'm guessing it will head your way too soon...... 👍🏻👍🏻

@@IaninLondon Goodness! I sure hope so!

Thank you :)

SSSI are not necessarily a no fly zone, but you do need to be extra aware of animals, birds and any interference the drone may cause.

@@IaninLondon Thanks Ian, the info is appreciated. I was at Clevedon a few days ago on a beautiful morning with family. Had the drone with me and could have got some great footage. However, the thought of having a run-in with an irate local encouraged me to leave the drone in the car as I wasn’t 100% clear on the legislation. Another one I’m unsure of, is flying near National Trust sites. I understand this is not allowed, however what is the no fly radius? I was at Uffington White Horse recently and there is a permanent sign saying “police drones operating in the area. I’m sure this is merely to discourage leisure drone flying. It made me wonder how close to this site could I actually fly legally . Thanks again Ian, I love your work!

Video on this coming out later tonight... (Friday)

Those warnings should be gone after you update.... 👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks! Should have shown Ted asleep at my feet 🐾🐾🤠

Thanks fella. Yep, this can go either way... Hoping they get it right 👍🏻👍🏻

@@IaninLondon Indeed! Lol. Sorry you got two similar commitments. I wasn't sure the first one had been sent. 😁 It helps the algorithm I guess. 👍 Cheers.

A free and simple app 🤔 do you mean like drone assist. 🤦‍♂️ it’s already out there and tells you all the permanent and temporary flight restrictions. Have you had your head buried in the sand. Even coverdrone have their own rip off version of it.

@@SkysharkMediaAerialImagery No head not in the sand... I'm aware of (and have) Drone Assist and it is a great App. I think you have missed the point I was making. Drone Assist while referenced by the CAA on their website is not an 'official' or CAA approved App. Nor is it endorsed by them, and for good reason as they caveat on their site. ..'As a regulator, the CAA supports any measure to improve the safe use of drones but does not endorse individual products' The point being is that if there is some incorrect information about flight restrictions on Drone Assist (or any other App) the CAA won't care as the will say it is your responsibility as the drone operator to ensure safe flight operations. If an approved CAA app was available there would be the (not unreasonable) expectation that it was accurate. You as the drone operator can then have 100% confidence that you are flying in unrestricted airspace. If recorded, the checking of a CAA App could be used as evidence if challenged by the police or CAA. This would show you have done everything in your power to be flying in an area not covered by a restriction. For example, If I check NATs to see if there is a NOTAM in effect in advance of a planned flight, I know this is approved government information and therefore will correct. Not supplied by a private/commercial 3rd party App developer who will not accept (nor should they) any liability for incorrect supplied information. As the CAA say its up to the Operator to ensure a safe flight is conducted. I know it will upset a lot of people but I'm in favour of increased controls if it means both commercial and hobby flyers can continue to fly drones in a safe and responsible manner. Increased controls will hopefully weed out the idiots, criminals and auditors who just want to antagonise the authorities. I feel more controls/restrictions are inevitable anyway, so we may as well understand and accept it. I'm sorry if you feel I was promoting ignorance as an excuse for people to fly where ever they like, that certainly wasn't my intention. Cheers. Suffolk Air Adventures.

I think we're a bit stuck in-between at the moment. Hoping you get to fly in more places soon. 👍🏻👍🏻

Excellent points, well made. It feels very much like a backward step in the absence of any CAA or NATS information. There are thousands of new DJI drone owners every month in the UK and removing this information could potentially result in people unwittingly Fly'in in controlled airspace. Let's hope the vacuum of official information is filled by the CAA soon!

Much better 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

Thanks Karen . Yep, some interesting stuff ahead.... 👍🏻

Does this apply to Ireland please? I see restricted areas still where you just have to confirm with dji that it’s safe to fly? Thanks

This is where drone assist from altitude angel can be very handy, as if you click on the zone it will tell you precisely whether or not you should just be aware of the danger, or whether you absolutely cannot fly. And enhanced warning zone does not necessarily mean you cannot fly....

@@IaninLondon Hi Ian, thanks for your reply. On drone assist at the moment it shows the old version (which the area was recommended).

It seems every country is watching and following eachother..... You get Remote ID, then the EU dies, and soon the UK will..... So I imagine this will head your way soon.. Cheers and ATB. 👍🏻👍🏻

A lot of european countries have similar. I got immediate permission from Malta's main airport for flying around 4 5Kms away but in a warning zone. Send the request via the RC remote (with wifi hotspot) and get a text back in a few seconds.... How it should be....

There were only airport zones yesterday when I used the website... Heathrow and Luton etc were there.... Maybe they're still updating...

@@IaninLondon gets even more intriguing. Still no airport restrictions areas in UK or Europe, but still visible for US, Canada and Australia. Wondering if this has to do with EASA changes which came into effect on 1/1 which has as affected UK Airspace?

Yep. Same here. I’ve posted them on X and got a generic response.

@@SkysharkMediaAerialImagery just received this info in an email, We have an important update for all our customers using DJI drones. DJI is updating its Geospatial Environment Online (GEO) system. The update includes the latest UAS geographical zone data from national aviation authorities. Hopefully this will all be corrected soon

Yes, it's all about crowds 👍🏻👍🏻

New flyers have the responsibility of educating themselves FIRST! That is why here the FAA requires everyone to take the TRUST exam which is free. No excuses for those who want to pretend to be ignorant.

Or it may be that as I said, the DJI Geo zones will often misaligned with the actual required zones. I'm hoping that it's now an accurate reflection of a genuine no-fly zone

If you're

If a mini 2 is around 3 miles from an airport, just within the inside edge of an orange circle, what happens if unlock is requested and is flight legal?

Keep in mind it's unlikely there was ever a moron flying at Gatwick; it's universally agreed that the incident never had a real normal consumer drone. That said, you're spot on. Airports should be clearly marked FRZs and no flying...

Seems.

There are no longer any restricted zones on Anglesey; I've just looked. Only Enhanced warning zones that do not need unlocking. (However these are mostly airfields, so you would need to be careful)

The CAA always had the control in the first place, but only based on laws passed, so no, they can't slap NFZs everywhere....

You still see the airport restricted zones and it's widely accepted the Gatwick incident was not a rogue hobbyist flying his Mavic 2 or whatever....

You may need to update the FlySafe database for the drone itself.....

@@IaninLondon I am a novice drone pilot. Only have 6 hrs of experience. How do I update the drone?

Do I check for a update when I set the drone up?

Yes; when you power up the drone and the remote, but don't start the motors, check for an update. Check out 1 min 48 on this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JPiV4RFpCqU.html

@@IaninLondon thanks for your help

From the DJI news release: The update will initially be introduced in countries that have implemented geographical maps that are compliant with existing technical standards[2]: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, Lithuania, Switzerland and the UK. Other countries under EASA jurisdiction will follow in due course.

@@IaninLondon interesting, I wonder how long! Thank you

No, the app was updated Dec 23, but the fly safe data was changed this weekend 👍🏻

@@IaninLondon I was referring to the DJI press release you showed not the app. The date on the release was January last year.

@@JohnnyBouchier Yes, it's a typo by DJI, should have been 04/01/2024.

Ah yes, as said by Lambo; a typo; it should be 2024.

Possibly because users were being told not to rely on the DJI zone data at all due to its inaccuracies... So they probably thought what's the point ...

I am currently on dji fly app version 1.12.6 which is the latest according to my app store, but I have not got any difference in flght maps, they are all still the same old geofencing restrictions, any ideas?@@IaninLondon

It's always the CAA I believe. But if Windsor Castle can get it, but Stonehenge can't, I'm unsure lesser mortals will.... :)

@@IaninLondon But Stonehenge is big enough and old enough to stand on its own - and you'd be pushed to damage it unless your FPV drone was packing an AT grenade. 😉

Nope. New law already passed and comes into effect 25 Jan... New video on this later today 👍🏻