Kip’s Comments - January 15, 2025

Jan 15

Restricted Air Space - Mixed Thoughts on a Substantial Change

From back when I was flying drones for my job to current times when I fly my personal drone for photography efforts, one flight issue to deal with has been geofencing. Geofencing is a software process that limits drone operations in areas determined to be restricted air space or “off limits” for drone use. (Think of an electronic fence/polygon surrounding specific areas.) Such locales are controlled airspace at airports (usually where air traffic control operators are working), jails/prisons, and the White House to name a few. Most locations may allow flights - with coordination - in all but the most secure locations, with justification.

From a personal level… I have wanted to fly my drone several times at George Wyth State Park located not too far from the Waterloo Airport. Depending on where in the park I have wanted to fly, I was able to secure an LAANC which is instant authorization to fly in approved areas. The LAANC was only the first step. I then had to “unlock” the geofence in my drone software. This process involved submitting necessary information that resulted in data I had to download into the controller/drone. My drone could then fly in the controlled area during the time window I specified.

My understanding of geofencing on DJI drones was that the geofencing was voluntarily implemented by DJI as a safety measure. In other words, geofencing was not a requirement of the FAA for DJI drone sales or flights in the USA.

Over time DJI drones have improved and now dominate the market - from private pilot use to public safety applications. I personally have flown four DJI models with each offering useful features specific to the models in flight.

As often happens, government decision makers get involved - sometimes making comments, threats, regulations, or laws, with little consideration for all of the ramifications that might follow. Such was the case with DJI drones. Certain lawmakers are of the belief that DJI drones pose a threat to our national security. Do they? I do not know. I do know with my drone it is seldom connected to the Internet for data transfers to China. And if foreign operatives want to see aerial views of trees and wetlands, well I suppose we could discuss it. Might the drones used for Public Safety applications be useful to other nations? I suppose that might be possible. Regardless, threats of banning DJI drones in the United States are a frequent discussion point among some lawmakers. My question is… If DJI drones are banned, how will they be replaced - especially for public safety uses? I have not yet learned of equivalent equipment. So, for the past couple of years, and last year with much more intensity, threats to ban DJI have been rebutted with great concern from public and private DJI drone pilots.

Surprisingly, on January 13 DJI announced they were removing their voluntary geofencing feature from their operating software. This means the software safety feature that stopped users from flying where they were prohibited by law is no more - assuming you update your drone. Anyone with an updated DJI drone can now fly where they want, when they want, regardless of airspace regulations (legal flights or not). As of today I can now, if I want to fly illegally, put my drone over a jail, in controlled airspace around an airport, or even fly over the White House. The non-mandated geofencing feature is gone.

So how do I feel about this? Speaking as a drone pilot who frequently assists with public safety flights (searching for missing persons, monitoring hazmat scenes, etc.) that may be in a restricted area, I like the loosening of the rules. While it may have been possible in emergency situations to “unlock” a drone, the process was cumbersome and time-consuming. As a private citizen flying only for photography or recreational purposes, I am concerned that without the integrated geofencing we will see people flying drones where they should not be, especially if they have no familiarity with drones and air space regulations. Recent examples include flights over big cities and over firefighting scenes. Drone operators - public or private - do not need bad pilots ruining the skies for all of us. Like anything, bad actors result in black eyes for all - including the undeserving.

When I read of DJI removing the geofencing I could not help but wonder if maybe this small, but significant gesture, might be to thumb those who have been so vocal against DJI. DJI tried to make their product safe - more safe than required, has plead their case as to whether they are a security risk or not - seemingly to no avail. So, to follow suit with what was done in Europe by DJI, DJI has removed the geofencing software in the US.

I guess time will tell what, if anything, this change might mean.

The picture below shows my drone with the propellers spinning and ready for flight. This photo was taken in an area that as of two days ago my drone would not have started. With the removal of geofencing I could have put my drone in the air in direct violation of FAA rules in restricted air space on an airport approach lane. My drone remained on the ground and did not fly, even though I now can - restricted air space or not.