April 9th… DJI announced a new firmware update to its Phantom 2 series of quadrotors. The new feature called “No Fly Zones” adds a level of safety and compliance to their multirotor devices when operating near airports and other restricted zones.
As posted on the DJI website… “In order to increase flight safety and prevent accidental flights in restricted areas, the new firmware for the Phantom 2 series includes a No Fly Zones feature to help users use this product safely and legally.
These zones include airports worldwide and have been divided into two types, A and B. For a full explanation of the difference between the categories, see the… video..”
Though the new firmware feature is programmed to provide a level of safety around major airports, the database does not include all 19,000 plus public airports in the United States. sUAS and model aircraft enthusiasts alike need to be cognizant of their surroundings and follow the applicable FAA and/or AMA safety guidelines when operating in proximity to airports.
Rich Hanson
AMA Government and Regulatory Affairs
Any system that has the ability to take control away from the operator, and not return it to them, is a disaster waiting to happen.
I don’t think it takes control away. It enforces a height restriction that gets lower and lower as you approach the no fly zone until you reach ground level. You have full control over all aspects of flight except increasing altitude.
I do agree however, that arbitrarily forcing a craft down to a specific ceiling could be… bad.
DJI removed the flight restrictions from the latest firmware update to the A2 control system.