Genghis9
Second Officer
United States
Offline
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At the risk of being redundant, I don't think so, you are asking two different questions whether you realize it or not. While most comments have generally hit on those two areas, let me attempt to be more direct.
First there is the question of your ability to fly based on DJI's Geo Fence, which is not always accurate and not necessarily up to date with FAA zones/fields; as you can see from this example where you get one set of zones with one app and a different set from DJI. That said, if you are inside a DJI Red or Yellow circle then you will be restricted. In a red zone you will not be able to takeoff and/or you will not be able to enter that defined area. You will need to not only get permission from the FAA (first) but then you will have to apply to DJI to have them unlock that zone once you prove approval from the FAA. In a yellow zone you can takeoff after you get a mother may I permission from DJI which you can do by simply following the prompts on the app or in advance on the DJI website for this Geo Fence system (yes you will need permission from a foreign corporation to fly in US airspace, regardless if the FAA already permits it and/or you have the permissions). Now all of this covers what DJI may or may not permit.
However, as noted above, the other question is what you can do in the real world and that is required by the FAA's designated airspace restrictions, the ones that really count. So, even if DJI says you are good and will allow you to takeoff and fly it does not necessarily mean you are OK as far as FAA rules go. As noted you are not permitted to fly within 5 miles (there is a debate whether it's statute or nautical miles, I use nautical as that is what the FAA uses in nearly all their distance determinations) of any established airfield, not accounting for abandon or private use that may no longer be in use (one source for why DJI's circles are wrong at times). Bottom line, stay away from any airfield or heliport by 5 miles unless you have appropriate FAA approval. In addition, there are many major airports that have much larger airspace definitions with varying altitudes (known as the upside down Birthday cake) depending on distance from the field, the closer you get the lower the altitudes are until they reach the surface.
All this means is if you can takeoff and fly you may still be restricted, which requires you to first check DJI's Geo Fence (a show stopper either way if they wont let you even start your motors) then if clear you must check for FAA designated and defined airspace that impacts your planned flying area and don't forget any federal, state, and local laws that my further restrict where you can takeoff from; while the FAA controls the airspace the other entities control where you can operate from.
Realizing the train may have left the station on this, hope this helps clarify things a bit more
Fly Safe |
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