DJI Authorization Zones vs FAA Airspace Approval
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
- This video will explain the difference between DJI and FAA approval when flying your drone, what each DJI geo zone means, how to request and gain DJI approval, how to import your unlocking license into your drone, and how to submit a LAANC request.
00:00 Introduction
01:00 The difference between FAA approval and DJI approval
06:10 The types of DJI approval
09:20 How to get DJI approval
14:00 How to activate it in your drone
16:39 How to get FAA approval
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This by far the best explanation of not only the differences between the FAA and DJI's approval and authorization systems, but finally someone covered the step by step process of how to activate the authorization from DJI in the flight controller and aircraft so you can actually operate the aircraft. If not done correctly you can't even spin up the propellers. I just tried to fly for a roof inspection last week but didn't check the area ahead of time. It turned out I was in a DJI blue zone and a FAA 0 grid near an airport. I won't make that mistake again. Thanks Greg!
DJI needs to partner with Kittyhawk and get on the same page as the FAA regulation. I should be able to punch in my LAANC Reference number into the DJI fly app and then GO. There’s way too much red tape right now and hurdles to jump thru to get airborne.
Yep, exactly!
I'd bet DJI is already on top of linking to a LAANC reference number. At least I hope.
@@commonsenselogic DJI years ago was granted being a LAANC provider, but they never followed through.
I think I'd go one step farther and say there should be a federal law that PREVENTS DJI from stopping Part 107 pilots from flying anywhere. DJI has ZERO authority to regulate ANY flight in the US.
@@chrishilton6378 you're more likely to see FAA require geofencing in drones rather that prohibit them. FAA is pressured to kick us recreational and small time P107 operators out after all.
Again, there are lots of uncontrolled airspace you should not fly, like off of a runway path of a community airport. This is what DJI is trying to prevent.
They also incorporate TRFs which LAANC at first did not provide.
Let's not forget not everyone with a quad knows even the basic rules. DJI puts in front of such person something they can't easily ignore and certainly can't claim ignorance but gives them a reason to ponder.
It would be a great idea if entering a LAANC approval could be used as an unlock, but I don't think DJI would have the means, particularly in this political climate to verify the authorization and area authorized.
Dude, thank you so much. I was so damn confused with the self unlock as I live in an authorized zone near an airport. Got to finally fly from my house today and it was so cool! Thanks a ton :)
I'm waiting for my first drone to arrive and have watched several of your videos over the past few days. I feel like I'm going to be more prepared than other people I know that have owned a drone for years. Thanks and keep up the great work!
This is the most informative drone approval video I've seen on youtube. Thanks so much for sharing!!
Great presentation, I can't begin to thank Pilot Institute enough for everything I have learned and continue to learn. This is very useful.
This makes so much sense now. I have been wondering for a long time why the FAA & DJI zones in class B is so different. Thank you for explaining it in plain english!
I have gotten LAANCE clearance and DJI approval before. However, I never really understood the separation and differences the entities impose. This tutorial makes it so much clearer, and I don't think that I will forget how to fly by my local airport again! Thanks!
Thanks for putting this video together, this has confounded me for years and you helped clear a lot up. Cheers.
Thanks Greg. Clears up a lot of confusion.
Excellent video. Only source I've found that clearly explains DJI system.
Great info as always, Greg. Always great info for the drone community!
I’m glad you’re addressing this! I stay safe from all zones, but it’s a bit frustrating sometimes.
This is why most of us Part 107 pilots have a second non DJI drone. Just in case you run into the DJI NFZ road block, you can still get the job done.
And this is why they’re changing the rules.
@@brettjones4300 Nonsense. Having my firmware unlocked just means I never see a DJI NFZ. As a Part 107 Pilot I have zero issues with the FAA, I just don't like DJI preventing me from doing my legal job. I still get airspace authorizations as need from the FAA. I'm all for RemoteID and hope it will stop kids from doing stupid things with their toys. An unlocked firmware has NOTHING to do with the FAA changing rules. All this does is remove the NFZ headaches created by DJI. I do see Pilot Institute removed my comment regarding this. If people prefer to jump through DJI hoops just to LAWFULLY fly their drone that's up to them. I prefer to get my FAA approvals and fly without DJI saying, NO!
@@alexthompson7096 What are you talking about? All you have to do is upload your approval and the zone is unlocked. I unlock regular authorization zones for my Mini 2 from the app just before takeoff. It’s not difficult. And NFZ zones that requires unlocking? Again, you can do it online and upload the license or whatever it’s called to the drone before it’s even active.
@@Chimera_Photography (First of all, my post was removed - I only see my reply) So I can understand why you might be confused. I posted that you can simply spend a few bucks for NOLIMITDRONEZ or DRONE-HACKS and remove all DJI NFZ (not just the simple authorizations you are talking about). I NEVER EVER have to deal with a DJI NFZ on my MP2, P4PV2 or Inspire 2. As a part 107 pilot I have no issues using LAANC or my WAA's. I just don't like DJI stopping me from flying near a jail, or courthouse, or power plant when I most certainly can legally fly there. I'm not sure why Pilot Institute keeps deleting my posts that inform folks about this. Nothing wrong with this at all. Maybe Pilot Institute could make a video showing how simply and easy it is to completely alter the drone's firmware. Of course this is more for commercial pilots. I understand there are reasons DJI has NFZ around certain places, but this channel is targeted to commercial drone pilots. So I dunno why my posts on this topic keep being banned.
@@dougwalls1162 we have a similar setup where DJI restrictions were removed. No approval needed to submit to DJI.
Thank you sooo much! Today, I decided to dig deep and find out how to get my drone back up in the air. I've been on a hiatus for over a year because of DJI's restrictions, and I was surprised to find out there was a difference from the FAA's rules. Your explanation helped me figure out how to get approved and back in flight! Thanks again!!!
This is very helpful information, presented logically, step-by-step.
When I looked at DJI's FlySafe map for the area around the International Airport in Las Vegas. I was amazed at the areas where DJI will let you do a self unlock, despite the strict FAA restrictions.
Excellent video! This is exactly what I was looking for. Well explained
Thank you for making this so simple to understand.
That was a very helpful tutorial. Thank you!
great video! makes it so much clearer now
Very helpful to see how the two systems work for different kinds of locations. Merci mille fois.
Steve the information you have provided is great!!
Thanks, Bill! - Greg
Greg I have the answer its called Autel Evo 2. What a pain in the rear end the DJI geofencing is . We have around $23,000 tied up in two DJI drones and being in the middle of a class B and 3 class D airports it is painful flying a DJI drone. The Autel is a breath of fresh air, once receiving my LAANC authorization I can fly immediately problem solved.
How do you avoid going bonkers? I did screen grab notes, several per minute! I will also copy this to my tablet to review before flight. I live a few blocks into an orange 400' Zone. DJI OK with warning. FAA - LAANC for every flight.
GREAT step by step process review! Now I can follow, remember Gimbal off - Memory Card IN and go fly.
THANK YOU!
will definitely keep this video for reference.... Thank you Greg....
Excellent lesson and knowledge.
Thanks again for our weekly update. Great info! The only DJI drone I have now is the FPV drone, which I mainly use to capture low-flight video shots at the California coast. But my Autel EVO 2 Pro is my go-to drone for everything else.
Very well done and comprehensive.
FAA's Part 77 surfaces concept is quite interesting. It actually make sense.
Wow, confusing, and I haven't seen this explained anywhere else. Thanks very much!
Great topic. This video is gonna be a smash hit. :)
Thanks, Greg! I learned a ton from this video, it's very informative.
This video was so helpful! Thanks!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! As always, so much helpful information.
I was impressed! This information is extremely valuable! Thanks for the exceptional content!
This was immensely helpful! Thank you! 🙌
Great video! Very useful.
Good video. Great explanations! Thanks
This video was so helpful, I wend to the coast yesterday and the DJI wound't take off this explains why. I guess going forward I will have to do my homework before trying to just grab the drone and run right out the door on the fly.
Fantastic video and explanation of the nuisances of the DJI app verses the FAA Grid System. One certainly could make an error if they did not do good preflight planning. It is the old saying just because you can do something does not mean you should. Just because the DJI will let you fly does not mean you should at times.
Thanks for pointing this out, this will keep me out of a lot of trouble. I wish they’d get on the same page.
Excellent presentation!
Very good content. As an airplane pilot and heli pilot , my take on these restrictions are obviously not made to deter drone pilots but for our safety. Discerning a DJI drone and I am not talking about the big boys who still look awfully small from a 1000 ft away but the regular sizes ones are just about invisible at 1000 ft away on approach. A bird strike in the cockpit can easily lead to fatalities. Impacting a drone on a glide slope or high rate of closure is a death sentence for us . That is why so many restrictions are in place. As far as the FAA goes, they have their set of rules. As a pilot I have to also request permission for certain areas ahead of the flight planning. We too have to follow FAA rules or take the risk tompoes our privileges as pilots. I think that DJI realized the potential for very serious detrimental outcome resulting in a negligent drone piloting or shear ignorance on the part of a new drone pilot. DJI needs to protect themselves as much as possible. We airborne pilots are very greatful to the FAA as well as DJI to make sure that we do not end up with a drone entering the cockpit at 100 kts or more ! I think that drone flying is fantastic either professionally or as a hobby as long as we can all coexist in sharing the sky.
One of the reasons that DJI has different standards than the FAA is that they want an extra barrier of safety most likely. Google on RUclips bird strike on airplanes. It will for sure make any drone pilot more aware of what could happen. DJI can identify the transmitter used to pilot that drone , so that DJI can provide law enforcement with the necessary information to conduct a thorough investigation should the need arise.
Very helpful content . Well done .
Thanks Greg. This helps a lot. I began getting this ‘warning’ with the Air 2S. I never received it with the Air 2, P4Pv2 or FPV.
You are helping to make me very prepared for when I unwrap and fly my mini 3 pro at Christmas. Unfortunately to fly in my yard I will have to get LAANC approval. Now I know I will also have to check the dji map. I’m nearby in PV. Would enjoy meeting you some day.
Thank you for this information.
Hi Greg, it looks like DJI has changed the interface since you first made this. Self-unlocking is renamed zone unlocking. It would be great to see a refresh of this video.
Thanks for this video. Took a walk with my wife and brought my MA2 with us... didn't know what the GEO zones were but we were in a blue zone and with LAANC approval, I thought I was good to go. Just means we have to take a few extra steps the night before. I wish we could turn it off because flying opportunities sometimes just pop up and LAANC approval should be enough.... but w/e I have a MA2, I'll just do the extra DJI steps if needed.
Great info. Thanks
Good video. Very Informative, especially on how to DJI approval.
Question: Do I need to worry about DJI approval, if I only use Aloft / Kittyhawk to fly my DJI aircraft?
Greg.... You Rock..... Thanks 👍
As for the restrictions 🥴..... Good grief ☹️
Thanks Greg!
so helpful! Wish they worked better together.
Cheers to being in Prescott, I'm right over the mountain in Jerome. Oddly enough Cottonwood airport has zero restrictions
I've found out the hard way that while DJI authorizations are for multiple days and can be downloaded to the drone, is say at night you remove and replace the battery in the drone it forgets the approval. I was in a remote area and if it wasn't for weak cell, I wouldn't have been able to fly the next day.
Thank you Greg!
I just watched your video, very informative. On the last part you were in 0 grid. I had a job to inspect a roof I was in a 0 grid. So I went online to drone zone to get authorization, I received email stating it was LAANC authorization air port. He suggested me to use ALOFT or other type of app to get authorization. This was two days prior to my scheduled job. So I proceeded as directed and was approved! Thank you for all the training and information.
I was under the impression that a 0 grid means you are unable to get LAANC approval to fly there. How did you end up getting LAANC approval?
@@aaronpk as a licensed certified part 107 pilot you can. You log into drone zone and fill out scope and any other details. Then if it’s at least 48 hours in advance. You should be able. They also may refer you to LAANC with request. Lots of learning, and if you have a dji you’ll need to unlock geozone. Great learning experience
@@flyingnewhites3180 Sorry maybe I misunderstood your first comment. You said you went to Drone Zone to get authorization, but they said to use a LAANC app instead? I would not have expected to be able to get authorization in a 0 grid using LAANC, only in Drone Zone.
@@aaronpk yes, I believe I started at drone zone. They will direct you afterwards.
Thanks for your helpful video. I sincerely appreciate it. I agree with you that the manufacturer should not apply these restrictions.
Thank you!
Quick question: Will they actually know if I'm flying the drone? Like is there a reason to actually bother and go through the whole ass process?
Great footage I hope if it's a DJI drone, I hope they see this and replace free. This is way too educational.
Thank you 🙏!!
I don't ever remember if I had to get approval from DJI? I could be mistaken. My wife's sister lives within a two miles of a small airport in Norwood Mass. I always get the Laanc approved within a few seconds, and with a height of 400 ft. I don't ever remember getting it from DJI. I'm going to have to look into that next time. Thanks for the heads up. 👍👍👍
I found that if you accept liability within an enhanced warning zone, it saves the approval and you can import that to unlock authorization zones for that same airport
Thanks Greg for doing this video. I"m one of those people who is frustrated with doing a self-unlock for Apollo Field (which is an RC field, with a letter of agreement with the VNY Twr). Also, close to home, which does have a 50' AGL restriction. Got an unlock once for my MA 2 last a year ago April, just using the controller and my phone. Uh don't seem to work that way no more.
Glad you went through the procedure visually. I will have to have this playing on my desk top, as I work through the steps.
Also, how to I get to the Kittyhawk site? Do you have an address?
Tony
good to know
7:44 the park i fly at is right on the edge of a blue zone. So if you stand in the right spot you can take off, but it will stop you if you fly into the zone edge lol.
This is great info.
Does any of this rise to the level of a NOTAM?
Thanks Greg. It's still very confusing, except I know DJI can't impose fines. So the FAA worries are prioritized. But being ready for your mission means ensuring the DJI drone will fly. Preparation is what you are advising I'm sure. DJI will never keep up in perfect step with FAA rules, and ever changing airspace requirements based on so many varied conditions besides just patterns or grids (example, we had fires where I lived, all over the place, and many, many areas became 'no fly' because of it). Sorry to type so much, but I see why it takes some diligence to get this all right.
Great video! Clear explanation of what is going on but no less frustrating. I hate dealing with DJI and their GEO fencing stipulations. I don’t understand why they want to be the policeman of US airspace. I have thought several times about getting my drone unlocked so that I can by pass DJI completely. Just haven't done it yet. Another thing that gripes me and DJI will not respond to any of my of my inquiries on the subject, is the implementation of LAANC approval on the Smart Controller.
How do you get a drone "unlocked? "
@@paullivingston1009 I am wondering same. Perhaps you can let me know if you find out
We were flying in a faa control area with faa approval. DJI made me answer all the “responsibility” questions. Then let me take off but would not let me return to the take off point. Thought I was going to loose the drone.
Thanks
Thanx!
Oh man. I went into Best Buy and looked at the drones. After the sales pitch, I bought the DJI Air2s. I paid a lot of money for this thing because of the self-protection and Return Home stuff. I went to Hawaii for two weeks, then I got home and decided to try out my drone. No one told me a damn thing about all this crap-all I wanted to do was fly around and take some nice photos. Now I’m hearing all this ridiculous crap about “Mission Planning”, “Authorization Zones”, FAA exams??? WTF??? Bummer.
Why is DJI controlling what airspace I fly in? I thought the FAA controls the airspace in the US. Thanks for always giving us great info and content.
I wouldn’t say that DJI is “controlling airspace”. It’s more like DJI is using geo-boxes to prevent DJI equipment from flying in areas where operating a UAS could be restricted/prohibited. I think they’re trying to be “proactive”. But it can still be a pain in the ---.
I have an m3p, and had my 1st introduction to the dji geo-fencing, I think, a few weeks ago.. I went into the air cuz someone was curious about how the drone worked, we were a few miles away from a small, non-commercial, airport. Got the warning, tapped okay, and it was good, I thought. Suddenly I was getting other warnings popping up on the rc controller I got concerned and quickly landed it for fear it would land by itself... Would it have landed alone? Thanks in advance
Once a zone is unlocked how long does it stay unlocked?
Also if I accidentally cross into a controlled area in flight what happens?
This is a terrific expiration clearing up the cone of confusion. One thing I have not heard explained: what if I need to fly inside a covered building, in this case, a factory warehouse in an industrial park less than 1 mile from the airport in a (0) zero grid. In this case it does not lie within a DJI authorization zone. Clearly, the RID will transmit, possible through the walls or open loading dock. Do I need a LAANCE approval? How is the airspace within a covered area or building classified as far as staying off the radar, or out of jail so to speak?
If you can get GPS signal, then you will need DJI approval. I usually just tell them: "I'll be flying indoors" and that's enough to get approval.
Otherwise, no need for FAA approval since they actually don't control that airspace, and don't worry about RID in this case, it's not needed but it will broadcast.
What are your thought about DroneUp ?
AirMap is referring me there for LAANC approval
Theres a few parks north of me that would be awesome for flying but its pretty close to a puddle jumper airport. the park is in a blu e authorization zone but i have a ton of other good parks within a few miles of me so im just not going to fly there to be safe.
Imagine my surprise when you mention Prescott. I work on the PNF as a forestry technician. And, I'm going for my drone cert in 2 weeks.
Awesome!
@@PilotInstitute Yeah, I just bought the DJI Mavic 3 about 3 weeks ago. Haven't used it as of yet because I registered it as a Part 107 drone. I failed my first part 107 test by 6 questions. I have to take it and pass it for work. The Forest Service is sending me to drone school in February and passing the Cert is mandatory before the school happens. I've been watching everything I can and taking mock tests to make sure I'm going to pass it this time. When I took it last week, there were questions on the test that none of the studying covered.... Now, it's the waiting game.... I'm a military veteran that works for the US Forest Service in Prescott, so, if you're ever out on the forest, and see me, just wave. Love the information you put out. It's been so helpful!!
As far as I can tell, DJI no longer requires self unlocking for the blue areas via their website. I've seen these areas unlocked on a DJI RC but they require an internet connections. Am I to assume that the only ones we need to use the website for are the red areas now or is it dependent on other factors?
Greg, I was trying to update my Mavic 2 Zoom for, RID when I go to the Actions and press edit it will not let me update the Drone status.
I flew once in pico de Arieiro in madeira. I had a slight warning but decided to fly anyway. 5minutes later, something to over my drone and crashed it straight to the ground 😭😭 could it be because I had no authorization??? It was an orange zone
Hi...I have a Radio Master tx16s controller...... how do i send a fly request.
thank you
I would like to fly in downtown Syracuse NY and it’s in a blue zone, I guess it’s to dense of population?
I'm in that annoying spot where I'm in a DJI auth zone but don't need FAA approval. I'm close to both a municipal airport and an air force base, but not that close.
I believe for the Gray Altitude zones that extend the runway zones you have to submit a custom unlock. For example, my house is inside a DJI 150m altitude since. I do not need a DJI unlock key to fly. If I had a part 107 job that allows me to fly 400’ above a structure in this area I would need to ask DJI to remove the altitude lock.
I wasn't able to test it but the DJI website says it's only a notification, but altitude may be restricted.
@@PilotInstitute I haven’t tried either. I would have to seek out a tall condo in one of these gray zones and see what happens giving above the listed altitude limit that was displayed.
I agree sometimes DJI and FAA requirements are off. But consider originally DJI used only circles. They came up with their current system with various geometric shapes before LAANC came to being. And just because you are allowed to fly doesn't mean you should. Even uncontrolled airspace has its dangerous locations.
Besides there are novices that don't know about controlled airspace, LAANC or dangers of flying near runway paths and will fly where they shouldn't. This is what DJI is trying to prevent.
You can unlock authorization zones in the field from the app as long as it has access to internet and you have SMS capability on that device or another with you.
Very Clear , thanks Greg. But why we have a double procedures????
Not sure... Wish they would line up with the US grids.
Because DJI has overstepped it's legal authority and has built it's Flysafe system without rational or sane thought.
@@chrishilton6378 For sure. I live in class B airspace right next to an airport and can easily take off in my backyard if I wanted to without a 107 or even a LAANC as per DJI since I'm not in the runway's path or a red zone, only a blue zone. OFC I would never do that due to how low the planes are flying near me but it doesn't make any sense to have my area unlocked.
So what confuses me if Kittyhawk or B4UFLY give you approval how does the DJI drone know?
Hi neighbor (I'm in Oro Valley). Thanks for this vid, very informative!
I'm headed to Prescott tomorrow and want to fly there. I followed your instructions and am on DJI's site right now trying to get unlocked. However, when it tells me to draw a circle around the area on the map, I only get the hand symbol that lets you pan around the map. The same thing happens when I try the Zone Unlocking option, it tells me to select a zone. But when I hover over the map I still can only pan around. What am I missing?
Thanks again!
BTW, I'm a student of yours and love your stuff! (and I'm not just kissing up ;) )
P.S. Can you recommend nice areas I can fly without DJI interfering?
Take a look at Watson lake. Beautiful area, in 400 foot grid, all your need is FAA approval via LAANC, no DJI shenanigans.
My problem is my house is close to Toledo executive airport. It's a small airport that doesn't man the control tower most of the time. There's no way to get LAANC approval. There's no grid. I fly all my drones at the park next to my house. My avata says no lol.
Thanks, What about the area inside the blue circle, but there is LAANC number , check this address 1360 E 6TH Los Angeles California
DJI seems to want to be the Remote Pilot in Command
Hi Greg , I cannot fly my drone because I live near a general small airport, I am blocked from flying. Please help, not tech savvy
My altitude stays 0m in an enhanced warning zone. That does not let me use Master Shots.
Steve - Using my Mavric Pro 2 I've had this warning "I agree to assume full liability of flying in this area"; however; I'm out in a cow pasture and 50 miles from the nearest airport and over 200 miles from a military. Looking on the Kitty Hawk map there are no restrictions where I want to fly. What gives?
Sounds like a “blanket” risk-assessment statement ‘of responsibility’ OF the pilot. WHY is THE question even there?!
There may have been a heliport, airport or something else that DJI sees as a risk. Often when heleports and other things go away, DJI doesn't update their maps :-(
I have a contixo f22 drone can that with my drone
Wow, thanks for a list of reasons why not to get a DJI drone.