DJI, the drone maker, has decided to reduce its geofencing restrictions. This means that its software will not automatically prevent operators from flying in areas marked as no-fly zone. DJI decided to loosen geofencing restrictions at this time, while the FBI is searching a drone operator who was responsible for a collision with a firefighting plane battling wildfires, mystery drone sightings are continuing New Jersey, and DJI faces a countdown to be banned in the US. DJI has said that instead of refusing to allow its drones to fly in restricted areas, it will trust the owners of its UAVs. The world’s largest drone manufacturer said
“Areas previously defined as Restricted Zones (also known as No-Fly Zones) will be displayed as Enhanced Warning Zones, aligning with the FAA’s designated areas,” . “In-app alerts will notify operators flying near FAA designated controlled airspace, placing control back in the hands of the drone operators, in line with regulatory principles of the operator bearing final responsibility.”
Since we . know “In-app alerts will notify operators flying near FAA designated controlled airspace, placing control back in the hands of the drone operators, in line with regulatory principles of the operator bearing final responsibility.”
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DJI’s new geofencing policy has been implemented in the US, after it was first implemented in the European Union in early last year. DJI claimed that it geofenced drones years ago due to the lack of regulation in the UAV sector, but now new rules make it unnecessary. The outfit said
“Global regulations and user awareness have evolved significantly, with a greater focus on geo-awareness and Remote ID solutions which makes detection and enforcement much easier,” . “DJI reminds pilots to always ensure flights are conducted safely and in accordance with all local laws and regulations.”
DJI has taken this action after suingUS government for adding them to a list with companies affiliated with Chinese military without giving them the chance to protest. A bill to ban DJI drones in the US from sale has passed the Housebut is stuck in the Senate.
After the Senate failed to move the bill forward, Congress took measures to add elements from the Countering CCP Drones Act into the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act which was signed by President Biden late December. DJI pointed out that the NDAA contains language that would ban the sale of DJI devices in the US if “an appropriate national security agency” hadn’t completed an investigation into the risks to national security of DJI’s continued operations in the United States within a year after the bill’s passing.
DJI has not responded to our inquiries. DJI drone grounds firefighting planes; FBI investigates
Speaking of bad timing, one of DJI’s drones allegedly was involved in a collision between a “super scooper” aircraft fighting the Palisades Wildfire near Malibu and a drone that was operating in an FAA-restrictedzone last week.
Click to enlarge.
FBI seeking information about a collision between a firefighting aircraft and a drone on January 9, above the Palisades Wildfire.
Click to enlarge.
FBI seeking information about a collision between a firefighting aircraft and a drone on January 9, above the Palisades Wildfire.
Photos published by the FBIalongside an announcement that it is seeking the operator “parts of the heavily damaged drone were recovered,” indicate the pieces belong to a DJI Mini 3 (). The drone caused a three-by-6-inch hole to the aircraft, which forced it to be grounded until repairs could be made. This was a crucial asset in efforts to put out the fires. California officials reportedthat there have been atleast 40 incidents involving drones that have forced crews from air operations. As of publication, the Palisades Fire, where the drone accident occurred, is still largely uncontained. The nearby Eaton and Auto Fires are also less that half contained. British Army uses laser trucks to zap drones from the sky.
Has everyone forgotten about those New Jersey mystery swarms of drones?
The drones causing problems for efforts to fight California wildfires have overshadowed a UAV story that was in the news only a few months ago: the mystery dronesspotted in New Jersey. Local news reports indicate that the sightings are still a mystery to locals despite federal officials claimingthat the unidentified drones don’t pose a threat without knowing their origins. New Jersey officials have confirmed that the FBI is leading the drone identification efforts. A state senator in New Jersey has stated that there are no signs of a foreign enemy stalking the night sky.
According to early reports, the mystery drones were spotted above US military bases and Donald Trump’s Bedminster Golf Club. This led to the closure of airspace at multiple airports. Reports also suggest that the mystery drones often appear in airport flight routes, which could lead observers on the ground to mistake commercial aircraft for giant UAVs.
Trump has promised that he will release information on the drones as soon as he is sworn in to his second term in office.
The FBI did not respond to our request for an update on its investigation into New Jersey drones and whether they had been able to track down Palisades drone operators. (r)
