Phantom 3 Standard still refuses to fly restricted areas.

PilotRadar · February 17, 2025, 2:45am

I keep reading how DJI has done away with their prohibited flights in restricted areas. I’m frustrated because this “memo” hasn’t reached my drone.

There is a Navy air training base by my former high school which I’ve tried to video/photograph twice. I tried once last year before DJI lifted the restriction, then again today with the same results. Both times I’ve gone to this location on Sundays when the training is closed. There are NO aircraft for miles around (as seen on my separate ADS-B receiver) AND I can verify with binoculars that the control tower is unmanned. I myself am a licensed FAA Single-Engine airplane pilot with law-enforcement co-pilot time aboard state police helicopter(s).

I’m using an FAA-Registered Phantom 3 Standard with a required ‘Remote ID’ location transmitter. I use an Android tablet instead of cellphone so I can view a larger display. The tablet has WiFi but no cellphone/data capability. Both times I clicked “Submit” to report the closed airfield, but never get any confirmation that my action was sent or received by anyone.

Even if DJI had not lifted the Geo Zone restrictions, the system should know that this base is closed every Sunday as well as Federal Holidays. I should not have to go through all the gymnastics of getting permission, then hoping my drone “gets the memo,” when I go try to fly on a Sunday when all offices are closed.

Thank you.

LoudThunder · February 17, 2025, 5:24pm

First, before we even address the drone’s possible issues, let’s address the “elephant” sitting on your land pad who probably has not gone through any of the Required “Gymnastics…”

You did not mention your certifications, so I am guessing that you have at least acquired your TRUST Certificate. With that being said…

I am Part 107 Certified and I live within the 5-NM Class D Airspace of Langley AFB. I am so close that I am in a Zero Altitude quadrant. That means that with a Part 107 Certification and an FAA Authorization is required to fly legally in my own yard. And the Part 107 Cert. is required to have the authorization approved.

My drone flying neighbors who are only Recreational Flyers with a TRUST Certificate cannot fly in this area… They cannot be granted an authorization to fly in a Zero Altitude Quadrant and when they do; and they do, they are breaking the law…

Today is President’s Day, a Federal Holiday, and the base is basically closed down and there is no flying and the ATC is unmanned, I called and verified it, I did not depend on spotting someone with binoculars who might be sitting down and not visible to a cursory glance…

My FAA Authorization is very specific, if there is no answer at the Langley AFB ATC, I am directed to call the ATC at Norfolk International Airport, the two Class D airspaces do not overlap and they are over 15-miles apart, but I must still call Norfolk and notify them that I am fly over 15-miles away.

How’s that for gymnastics?

Now, in your case, that “Navy Air Training Base” is probably also in a Class D Airspace, which means that an FAA Authorization is required to fly there. TRUST certified flyers can get an authorization to fly in most Non-Zero Altitude Quadrants, however, the requirements to Notify the ATC is very specific as spelled out in the authorization, which you do not have!

Having an FAA-Registered drone is much the same as you have a registration on your car… But flying without an authorization in a controlled airspace is much the same as driving your registered car but without a driver’s license, both illegal…

Having a RID Module is required because your drone is big (over 250-grams…) is just one of the many hurdles drone pilots are required to do, much like having to turn your lights on when you operate your car at night…

All of this, up to this point is just to ensure you are flying legally in that Controlled Military Class D Airspace…

Here is my area, this graphic is taken from the DJI FlySafe Web Site. Langley AFB is delineated by the Reddish Shape (as indicated by the RED Arrow…) which is defined as a “Restricted Zone” and that area Requires DJI to Unlock it… All I have to do to get this restriction lifted is to log on the DJI FlySafe Website and click on the link to “Unlock Request” and submit a copy of my FAA Authorization to have the area unlocked… Easy Peasy, with an FAA Authorization…

So, my advice to you is to get those Required Gymnastics completed, but do not expect to get authorized to fly over the Training Base…

msinger · February 17, 2025, 5:58pm

@PilotRadar did you update the FlySafe database in DJI GO? That should be all you need to do in order to lift those flight restrictions.

PilotRadar · February 22, 2025, 5:53am

I’ve been all over the DJI Go App, I’ve signed into my DJI account. I find places that refer to Fly Safe. I found ways to submit Unlock Requests. I’ve drilled down many menus but cannot find any way to just simply update my Fly Safe geo map. All the videos on YouTube talk about other apps, not DJI Go. Where are the instructions?

LoudThunder · February 22, 2025, 2:39pm

Have you tried these techniques? They might not be the most direct method, but perhaps you can use these possible “work-arounds…”

To update the DJI FlySafe Database, you can use the DJI Pilot 2 or DJI Fly apps.

Using DJI Pilot 2

Turn on your drone and remote controller
Connect your remote controller to WiFi
Go to the DJI Pilot 2 home screen
Tap Geo Zone Map
Tap FlySafe Database
Tap Check for Updates
If an update is available, follow the prompts

Using DJI Fly

Go to DJI FLY Profile
Go to Settings
Select Check for Flysafe Database Updates
Follow the prompts to update

If you’re having trouble updating the FlySafe Database, you can try these steps:

• Log out and log back into your DJI account in the app
• Use a different internet or WiFi connection
• Update the date and time in your system settings

Finally, watching this video may also help you learn how to update the FlySafe Database on DJI drones:

msinger · February 22, 2025, 2:50pm

@PilotRadar for DJI GO, the current FlySafe database version is 01.00.01.09. Which version do you have?

If you go to the camera view, open the settings (“…” at top right), go to General Settings (“…”), scroll down to the bottom and tap About, you’ll see the version listed there.