Link: DJI will no longer stop drones from flying over airports, wildfires, and the White House

DJI has eliminated its stringent geofencing feature, allowing drones to potentially fly over sensitive areas with only a dismissible warning. This change comes despite incidents where drones interfered with emergency operations, such as the LA wildfires.

The removal of "No-Fly Zones" places increased responsibility on drone operators, as DJI suggests that Remote ID technology will adequately assist authorities in enforcing regulations. Nonetheless, a drone recently hindered a firefighting effort without needing Remote ID, due to its small size.

Previously, DJI's geofencing was a self-imposed measure to promote safety in U.S. airspace. It's being phased out now, partly because the U.S. government is decreasing DJI's market access and labeling them as a security risk.

Despite the FAA not requiring manufacturers to implement geofencing, the move has raised concerns among safety advocates. Former DJI executive Brendan Schulman has expressed doubts about the positive impact of this decision.

Though DJI maintains that this shift aligns with global regulatory principles that hold operators accountable, the effectiveness of this approach remains to be seen. While some mandatory no-fly zones still exist around UK airports, DJI suggests that similar stringent measures may not be implemented in the U.S.

With DJI's new policy, operators are reminded to keep their flight apps updated to receive the latest FAA-designated warnings about restricted airspace. This shift represents a significant change in the landscape of drone safety and regulation enforcement. #

--

Yoooo, this is a quick note on a link that made me go, WTF? Find all past links here.