DJI has changed how its drones handle restricted airspace in the United States. The company has removed automatic no-fly zones from its software. Starting January 13, pilots will see warnings when entering restricted areas, but they can choose to ignore them.
Previously, DJI’s drones would block flights over places like airports, government buildings, and wildfires. These changes affect DJI’s Fly and Pilot apps. Now, blocked areas will appear as “Enhanced Warning Zones,” and pilots will get alerts instead of being stopped.
Why DJI is making this change
DJI first introduced its geofencing system in 2013 when drones were new to the market. The feature was designed to help prevent accidental flights in restricted zones and improve safety. At the time, rules for drone use were still evolving.
Now, DJI says newer technology like Remote ID makes geofencing less necessary. Remote ID broadcasts the location of a drone and its pilot during flight. This makes it easier for authorities to enforce rules. “This update has been in development for some time,” Adam Welsh, DJI’s global policy head, told The Verge. He also pointed out that similar changes in Europe last year did not lead to more problems.
The FAA, which oversees drone rules in the U.S., supports this shift. “The FAA does not require geofencing from drone manufacturers,” Ian Gregor, the FAA spokesperson, told The Verge. The FAA says it’s up to pilots to follow the rules.
Concerns about safety
Some experts worry this change could lead to more risks. Brendan Schulman, DJI’s former policy head, called it “a remarkable shift in drone safety strategy” in his post on X. He said the geofencing system had a proven track record of improving safety in the skies.
Schulman has also raised questions about the timing of the change. It comes as the U.S. government increases pressure on DJI, labeling it a “Chinese Military Company” and restricting imports. “Ten years almost to the day after a DJI drone infamously crash-lands on the White House lawn, DJI has removed the built-in geofencing feature that automatically impedes such an incident, replacing it with warnings that the user can choose to ignore,” he writes. DJI did not say if these tensions influenced its decision.
Real-world challenges
The risks of removing geofencing were recently highlighted during a wildfire in Los Angeles. A DJI drone interrupted firefighting efforts, damaging a Super Scooper airplane. Authorities believe the drone didn’t meet Remote ID requirements, which makes it harder to identify the pilot.
DJI argues that its new system will still encourage safe flying. Pilots using updated DJI apps will see alerts when entering restricted areas, giving them the information they need to make responsible decisions. Welsh explained that the change aligns with FAA rules, which place responsibility on operators.
The debate over drone safety
This decision gives drone pilots more control, but also more responsibility. Critics worry about misuse by less-informed or simply careless operators. And judging from many cases we’ve witnessed before, there are plenty of the latter ones.
As DJI rolls out this update, it remains to be seen whether pilots will rise to the challenge of flying responsibly. The change offers greater freedom, but it also demands greater accountability from those behind the controls.
[via The Verge]
