DJI Updates Geo System for Drones in the US
DJI updated the geozonation system (Geo) for most of its consumer and corporate drones in the United States. The update went into effect on January 13 in the DJI Fly and DJI Pilot applications, replacing the previous databases of zones with the official data of the Federal Civil Aviation Department (FAA). Similar changes have already been implemented in the European Union.
With the new data, zones that were previously categorized as “prohibited for flights” (No-Fly Zones) are now shown as “Enhanced Warning Zones”. This means that operators will receive notifications when entering FAA-controlled airspace, but they will still have the option to fly in these areas.
To receive the update, users simply need to connect to the internet and click “update” in the Flysafe notification. This step ensures alignment with FAA requirements and supports drone identification principles.
Initially introduced in 2013, the Geo system was developed by DJI to enhance flight safety and prevent unauthorized flights in restricted areas, such as airports and prisons, at a time when formal drone regulations were still evolving.
Over the years, DJI has been at the forefront of drone safety, introducing various innovations including restricting flight height, GPS geofencing to avoid prohibited areas, autonomous return-to-home in case of communication loss or low battery, collision prevention sensors, and real-time drone monitoring through remote identification technology.
Interestingly, the timing of this update coincides with escalating rumors about a potential ban on DJI drones in the US. Some may interpret the relaxation of certain restrictions as an attempt to placate European regulators while potentially aggravating local authorities.
In 2024, the Geo update was rolled out in the UK, as well as several EU countries such as Belgium, Germany, and France. In June, Estonia, Finland, and Luxembourg also made the transition to the updated maps. It is anticipated that the remaining EU nations will complete the switch to the updated system this month.