Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 days ago
DJI announced a couple days ago that starting January 13th, 2025, it would be removing its Geofencing functionality from its Drone Fly Apps for both its consumer and enterprise drones. With this update, DJI drone operators will see DJI’s prior geofencing datasets replaced with official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) datasets. Moreover, areas previously defined as Restricted Zones (or No-Fly Zones) will be displayed as Enhanced Warning Zones, aligning with the FAA's designated areas.
In these zones, the DJI fly apps will show in-app alerts to notify operators they are flying near FAA designated controlled airspace. However, they won’t prevent the operator from flying the drone in that previously Restricted, or No-Fly Zone area.
DJI says its placing control back in the hands of the drone operators, and doing so, to be in line with the FAA regulatory principles of the drone operator bearing final and ultimate responsibility. DJI also suggests the FAA’s mandated RID function on drones being flown today negate the need for their DJI geofencing feature.
What does this mean?
It means that if a drone operator wants to fly a drone over a National Park, or a natural disaster area like the fires in LA, or even over the White House, there is nothing that DJI is going to do now to prevent the operator from doing so.
My concerns?
In light of all the odd, and to much of an extent illegal drone activity that has been occurring over the eastern parts of the United States over the past couple of months, the timing of this announcement from the Chinese Manufacture DJI is quite interesting. Especially when you also consider the fact that in 2023 DJI suddenly stopped selling its Aeroscope product that enabled companies/municipalities, such as power plants and water supply facilities, to purchase this hardware and software to monitor drone activity around hits properties.
To conclude, I think DJI’s decision is a poor decision for US airspace safety, and is most likely a reaction to the US Federal government considering banning the use of DJI drones in various government activities that employ drones.
Here is a link to register for my next "FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep" workshop, a course that I developed and have been teaching at the University of New Hampshire since 2018: falconimagery.com/faa-part-107-drone-pilot-test-prep-course
If you want to take my "FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep" Workshop today see: falconimagery.com/get-faa-part-107-online-remote-pilot-test-prep-workshop-today
DJI announced a couple days ago that starting January 13th, 2025, it would be removing its Geofencing functionality from its Drone Fly Apps for both its consumer and enterprise drones. With this update, DJI drone operators will see DJI’s prior geofencing datasets replaced with official Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) datasets. Moreover, areas previously defined as Restricted Zones (or No-Fly Zones) will be displayed as Enhanced Warning Zones, aligning with the FAA's designated areas.
In these zones, the DJI fly apps will show in-app alerts to notify operators they are flying near FAA designated controlled airspace. However, they won’t prevent the operator from flying the drone in that previously Restricted, or No-Fly Zone area.
DJI says its placing control back in the hands of the drone operators, and doing so, to be in line with the FAA regulatory principles of the drone operator bearing final and ultimate responsibility. DJI also suggests the FAA’s mandated RID function on drones being flown today negate the need for their DJI geofencing feature.
What does this mean?
It means that if a drone operator wants to fly a drone over a National Park, or a natural disaster area like the fires in LA, or even over the White House, there is nothing that DJI is going to do now to prevent the operator from doing so.
My concerns?
In light of all the odd, and to much of an extent illegal drone activity that has been occurring over the eastern parts of the United States over the past couple of months, the timing of this announcement from the Chinese Manufacture DJI is quite interesting. Especially when you also consider the fact that in 2023 DJI suddenly stopped selling its Aeroscope product that enabled companies/municipalities, such as power plants and water supply facilities, to purchase this hardware and software to monitor drone activity around hits properties.
To conclude, I think DJI’s decision is a poor decision for US airspace safety, and is most likely a reaction to the US Federal government considering banning the use of DJI drones in various government activities that employ drones.
Here is a link to register for my next "FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep" workshop, a course that I developed and have been teaching at the University of New Hampshire since 2018: falconimagery.com/faa-part-107-drone-pilot-test-prep-course
If you want to take my "FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Test Prep" Workshop today see: falconimagery.com/get-faa-part-107-online-remote-pilot-test-prep-workshop-today
