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Airport GEO Zones

To ensure public airspace safety, DJI sets GEO Zones around airports to regulate UAV flights.

Flying in GEO Zones

When a DJI UAV flies near a GEO Zone, a warning will pop up in the DJI GO or DJI GO 4 app. Read these warnings carefully and react accordingly.

DJI's Geospatial Environment Online (GEO) is a best-in-class geospatial information system providing DJI users with up-to-date guidance on areas where flight may be limited due to safety concerns or regulations. It combines the latest airspace information, a warning and flight-restriction system, a self-authorizing unlocking mechanism for specific locations, and a minimally-invasive accountability system for those decisions. This system is often referred to as “geofencing” and replaces DJI’s first-generation No Fly Zone system implemented in 2013.
The latest airport GEO Zones reference the Obstacle Limitation Surfaces section of the ICAO ANNEX 14, an international regulatory standard for airports. Airports are classified according to three risk categories: high, medium, and low. In other restricted locations, our new polygon-shaped GEO Zones are used to make flight restrictions more precise. Compared to previous versions, the latest Restricted Zones are less prohibitive and more logically designed, providing larger areas for users to enjoy safe flying.
The GEO 2.0 System works with the DJI Spark and Inspire 2, as well as the collective product series for the Phantom 4, M200, and Mavic. Some older DJI products use the original GEO System including the M100 and the collective product series for the Phantom 3, Inspire 1, and M600.
The latest information on temporary flight restrictions in the location of a planned flight will be sent to users via the DJI GO app.
Enhanced Warning Zones exist to alert drone operators of potential concerns that are not primarily safety-related, for example, wildlife protection areas. When a drone approaches an Enhanced Warning Zone, the DJI GO app will issue a warning. Users must then confirm that they wish to continue flying.
No. The GEO system is advisory only. Each operator is responsible for checking official sources and determining what laws or regulations apply to his or her flight. It should be noted, however, that DJI will continue to work collaboratively with aviation authorities around the world to determine what kind of operator guidance is most effective at promoting safe and responsible flying.
Users can verify their DJI account by providing a mobile phone number. DJI will not collect, store or save this information.
The GEO system provides the same information to every operator. We understand that regulations may vary depending on whether your operation is commercial, recreational, educational, humanitarian, or governmental. DJI is the most popular brand in all categories, which is why our system allows flexible unlocking based on operator judgment. Also, a drone used for business on Wednesday might be used for recreation on Sunday. Because the main functionality of geofencing is to provide information and assist in preventing unintended operations in areas that raise concerns, the system has generally been designed with newcomer and recreational users in mind. Commercial operators are expected to do research and stay informed about restrictions and conditions that may apply to their operations. The unlocking mechanism allows each user to make appropriate individual operational decisions independent of guidance provided by DJI.
GEO 2.0 will alter the boundaries of some previously restricted areas. For the most part though, new GEO Zones are more precise in order to avoid unnecessary restrictions and allow flight in more locations. Using a verified DJI account will further enable users to self-authorize and unlock certain restricted areas. If you are unable to unlock an area, it may be particularly sensitive (i.e. locations near airports or government buildings), or the result of a temporary lock for a public event, emergency, or other reason. Although GEO 2.0 may require a few additional steps, we believe these precautions increase flight safety and result in a smoother, more worry-free experience.
DJI will create an error-reporting system. We want our new system to be as accurate and helpful as possible. The unlocking mechanism should allow you to fly in these locations based on your own judgment while DJI evaluates your error report.
Assuming you have compatible DJI equipment, there will be no charge to upgrade to the new GEO system. Verifying your account with a mobile number will not result in a charge. The phone number is used only as a credential to verify the account. Your carrier’s standard text messaging rates apply to verification that uses SMS or text messaging communications.
We have developed a webpage that allows you to unlock Authorization Zones in advance of your operation. See the following page for more details: https://www.dji.com/flysafe/self-unlock.
GEO 2.0 is currently being implemented in the United States only. However, we expect to add other regions in the near future and will make relevant announcements to keep users informed.
No. This is an independent, industry-led approach to operator education, responsibility, and accountability. DJI will not require governmental registration in order to use the GEO system. If and when a registration system is implemented for aerial systems, we will evaluate whether its use would enhance the GEO system’s functionality. We do not feel that disclosing the personal identification of users is required in order to create a framework for safe aerial system operations.
DJI endeavors to keep flight information private unless there is a specific and compelling reason to release it. In the event of an aviation safety or law enforcement investigation, our verification partner(s) may provide details about the credit card or mobile phone number used to verify the DJI account in question. This would offer information regarding any location, date, or time in question. This creates a path to accountability without being burdened for the up-front collection of personal information. We also feel it strikes the appropriate balance at this time. Our observation is that the vast majority of aerial system operators are responsible community citizens who follow the rules and use common sense. We think our customers deserve the benefit of the doubt and an accountability system that is minimally invasive.
No. Based on years of customer experience and feedback, we feel that unconditionally restricting device functionality based on geography alone is the wrong approach. This technology is being used by a wide variety of operators with different types of authorization, and varying dates and times. In virtually every area that might be a good candidate for a permanent geofence, we have encountered circumstances in which authorized operators need access. We believe that restricting the use of aerial system technology based on geographical location alone might deter from using the future applications of a technology still in its infancy.

Important Airspace Notes – DJI GEO System

DJI created a comprehensive framework for GEO, allowing it to determine which geospatial locations would be categorized as Warning, Authorization, or Restricted Zones. The following information details how DJI categorized locations in order to further enhance your own operational decision-making. This document is not legal advice and does not substitute for your own interpretation of any legal requirements.

Implied 400-foot AGL altitude

All information displayed by the GEO system assumes that your aerial system is being operated at or below 400 feet above ground level (AGL). It reflects a two-dimensional representation of three-dimensional airspace. At higher altitudes, airspace classifications may differ from classifications at or below 400 feet.

“Airports” in the United States

The FAA has, since at least August 2014, issued guidance that model aircraft (recreational multirotor) operations are permitted within five miles of an airport provided the operator “contact[s] the airport or control tower.” See What Can I Do With My Model Aircraft? available at https://www.faa.gov/uas/publications/model_aircraft_operators (dated August 14, 2014; visited November 27, 2015). This guidance is expressly based on the 2012 Federal Modernization and Reform Act statute (“FMRA”) Pub. L. 112-95 Section 336. This guidance raises the question of what types of “airports” are contemplated.

An important point of reference seems to be FMRA Section 334, which sets out parameters for operation of certain public unmanned aircraft systems, including a discussion about the operations of those that weigh 4.4 pounds or less. In this subsection, Congress contemplated that such UAS operate “outside of 5 statute miles from any airport, heliport, seaplane base, spaceport, or other location with aviation activities.” Congress, within this statute, specifically used the word “heliport” when it intended to refer to a heliport. Likewise, Congress describes “seaplane base” and “other locations with aviation activities.” This is in contrast to Section 336 concerning model aircraft which refers only to “an airport,” a seemingly far narrower concept than the enumerated all-inclusive list in Section 334.

For this reason, we have not categorized heliports, seaplane bases, private airstrips, and other similar locations as Authorization Zones. GEO will in some cases provide a warning to the user when operating in the vicinity of these locations, as a precaution, and some of these locations may be displayed on the map in DJI GO for informational purposes with an icon. Airports areas categorized as Authorization Zones and Restricted Zones in the United States include public airports, those that have a control tower, and those that have a published instrument flight procedure. Please always check official sources and charts and come to your own decision about how to address any nearby location with aviation activities.

Controlled Airspace (Class B, C, D, E) in the United States

In an October 27, 2015 Air Traffic Organization Policy notice, FAA indicated that "Model aircraft operators are not required to consider the different classes of airspace as long as they comply with the requirements listed in the AC 91-57A, which states that hobbyist UAS operators provide notice to the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) if the operation will take place within 5 miles of an airport."

Additionally, FMRA is silent with respect to airspace classifications, referring only to a five-mile distance from “an airport.” For these reasons, DJI has indicated a five-statute-mile Warning Zone around listed airports, as well as smaller Authorization Zones and Restricted Zones as you get closer to the center of busy airports. Controlled airspace locations (Class B, C, D and E) have been categorized as Warning Zones. When near these locations, you may receive a warning message. To enhance clarity and prevent duplication, these areas may not appear on the map in DJI GO. Please always check official sources and charts, and come to your own decision about whether and how to operate in controlled airspace locations.

The Washington D.C. FRZ and SFRA

The 15-mile-radius Washington D.C. Flight Restricted Zone is categorized as a Restricted Zone in GEO. The 30-mile-radius SFRA is not a flight-prohibited area but instead involves special training and procedures by manned aircraft pilots. The regulation concerning the SFRA does not refer to model aircraft or unmanned aircraft systems even though it specifically references ultralight vehicles. See 14 CFR 93.339. There are long-standing model aircraft club locations within the SFRA. We are also aware of at least one DJI customer who has received an FAA certificate of waiver or authorization (COA) for operations within the SFRA. The SFRA, excluding the FRZ, is approximately 2,120 square miles in area and includes many indoor locations where operations do not raise a concern. For these reasons, the SFRA is currently categorized in GEO as an Authorization Zone. As with all operations, it is the user’s responsibility to obtain any required authorization and to comply with any applicable regulatory requirements.

GEO provides advisory guidance only

The GEO system is for informational purposes only and is not considered an official aeronautical source. In some cases, for technical reasons or out of an abundance of caution, the boundaries of geospatial locations in GEO may differ from the official version. It is the responsibility of the operator to consult official sources and exercise reasonable judgment when evaluating whether or not it is safe or legal to operate an aerial system at a given time or place.