Hello, I might get the Mini 3 (that should be obivious since I'm posting in this forum). Problem is I live in a NFZ, I'm 15 miles from DC. I'm confused about how the drone would operate in a NFZ. I understand the software prevents it from flying in that zone, but does it mean it won't power on or it'll power on but won't function or will it just not launch? I don't mind driving outside the NFZ to fly it, but I'd mind having to drive out just to update the firmware. Bascially, if I order one, I want to make sure it's not DOA at the house before driving out to the boonies to fly it.

You can turn it on and do all the updates and initial setup, but depending on the kind of NFZ you might not be allowed to get it airborne.

Hello there boxer13. Good day and thank you for reaching out. Kindly please refer to the post given above by MySky on post #2 and in addition I will post a DJI link and some information about DJI Geo Zones. Thank you.

https://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-map

DJI Stephen Posted at 7-8 14:39
Hello there boxer13. Good day and thank you for reaching out. Kindly please refer to the post given above by MySky on post #2 and in addition I will post a DJI link and some information about DJI Geo Zones. Thank you.

https://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-map

Many thanks! The Geo Zone Map does simplify things. Looks like there a few areas safe to fly a drone.  Although I find it a bit asinine not being allowed to fly a drone in a NFZ as long as it's on one's own private property and kept under a ridiculously low altitude, say, 20 or 30 feet.

boxer13 Posted at 7-8 17:07
Many thanks! The Geo Zone Map does simplify things. Looks like there a few areas safe to fly a drone.  Although I find it a bit asinine not being allowed to fly a drone in a NFZ as long as it's on one's own private property and kept under a ridiculously low altitude, say, 20 or 30 feet.

Try telling that to the FAA.  They claim all airspace (including your back yard)  above the ground falls under their regulations.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 7-9 05:36
Try telling that to the FAA.  They claim all airspace (including your back yard)  above the ground falls under their regulations.

I know, right? I guess that means flying a drone, especially a DJI one, in an underground parking garage or indoors wouldn't be possible if you're in an NFZ.  

boxer13 Posted at 7-9 05:48
I know, right? I guess that means flying a drone, especially a DJI one, in an underground parking garage or indoors wouldn't be possible if you're in an NFZ.

Well if you are completely blocked from a GPS lock when you start and it can't detect it is in a NFZ.  The drone should start and fly but it would be in Atti mode.  Much harder to fly in atti mode.  However, if you try to fly it from the parking garage outside and it picks up a GPS signal then you be forced to land.

The area you live in is saturated with NFZ due to all the nearby airports, government buildings, hospitals, helicopters, and so on.  Which all makes it hard to find public places to fly that are not in an NFZ.  

DowntownRDB Posted at 7-9 06:09
Well if you are completely blocked from a GPS lock when you start and it can't detect it is in a NFZ.  The drone should start and fly but it would be in Atti mode.  Much harder to fly in atti mode.  However, if you try to fly it from the parking garage outside and it picks up a GPS signal then you be forced to land.

The area you live in is saturated with NFZ due to all the nearby airports, government buildings, hospitals, helicopters, and so on.  Which all makes it hard to find public places to fly that are not in an NFZ.

Can you disable GPS using the RC? I read using the RC-N1, you can switch your phone to airplane mode and it'll force the drone into Atti mode. But I prefer the RC since there's always a chance my phone won't be compatible with the RC-N1.

boxer13 Posted at 7-9 06:39
Can you disable GPS using the RC? I read using the RC-N1, you can switch your phone to airplane mode and it'll force the drone into Atti mode. But I prefer the RC since there's always a chance my phone won't be compatible with the RC-N1.

I think you are misunderstanding something.
The drone has it's own GPS, so it will act independent from the phones GPS.
Otherwise it will not return to the homepoint alone if the connection to either of the RC's will disconnect.
Also, if you put your phone into airplane mode, GPS will not be deactivated, as it is only a receiver. Only
everything that is sending / has an active communication will be deactivated.
The drone will only go into ATTI mode if there is no propper GPS reception for GPS position hold.

I think you should also remember that even though you can unlock a zone you are still most likely not allowed to fly there. Also if it is the law that you cant fly there no one can give you permission unless that is in the legislation

MySky Posted at 7-9 09:01
I think you are misunderstanding something.
The drone has it's own GPS, so it will act independent from the phones GPS.
Otherwise it will not return to the homepoint alone if the connection to either of the RC's will disconnect.

I got my info from https://mavicpilots.com/threads/gps-signal-when-flying-in-restricted-zone.106589/ but that was for the RC-N1, so I don't know if the same method is possible on the RC.

boxer13 Posted at 7-9 10:50
I got my info from https://mavicpilots.com/threads/gps-signal-when-flying-in-restricted-zone.106589/ but that was for the RC-N1, so I don't know if the same method is possible on the RC.

You took the wrong conclusion like the new member at the other forum.

1. That guy was flying a Mavic Pro not a Mini 3 pro with a totally different RC. (No DJI RC nor RC-N1)
2. Different App to control the Mavic Pro. (DJI Go4 not the Go5->FlyApp)
3. He was asked to try to start indoors without GPS lock to force the drone to go directly into ATTI or OPTI mode
4. He switched, for whatever reason, his phone into airplane mode and concluded he turned of the GPS by that, which was wrong.
5. There were some older drone models where you could have turned off GPS manually, but not with  the curent models and especially not by switching the phone into airplane mode.

I suppose coming to wrong conclusions is what new members do. But thanks for educating me! There's always that learning curve we newbies have to deal with. It'd be easier to learn about it if I had the Mini 3 in my hands.

I'd like to pull the trigger, but the price does make me hesitate.  

boxer13 Posted at 7-9 17:38
I suppose coming to wrong conclusions is what new members do. But thanks for educating me! There's always that learning curve we newbies have to deal with. It'd be easier to learn about it if I had the Mini 3 in my hands.

I'd like to pull the trigger, but the price does make me hesitate.

Get a mini 2 still a very good drone and half the price

boxer13 Posted at 7-9 06:39
Can you disable GPS using the RC? I read using the RC-N1, you can switch your phone to airplane mode and it'll force the drone into Atti mode. But I prefer the RC since there's always a chance my phone won't be compatible with the RC-N1.

The drone has its own GPS which is why you would have to try the drone in a location that complete blocks it from receiving a GPS signal.  However, remember flying in Atti mode is not really easy or stable.  

Learning to fly a drone in Atti mode would be like learning to drive a standard transmission. It's harder but you'll reap better benefits.

As for the Mini 2, yeah, the price is really appealing but the 3 has the better camera and the RC remote. I can sorta justify in my mind the extra $150 for the RC and the $310 difference between the Mini 3 and 2, but not both of them together. At least, not yet. I may have to wait until there's a 10% off sale or until they start selling refurbished Mini 3s.  

boxer13 Posted at 7-9 17:38
I suppose coming to wrong conclusions is what new members do. But thanks for educating me! There's always that learning curve we newbies have to deal with. It'd be easier to learn about it if I had the Mini 3 in my hands.

I'd like to pull the trigger, but the price does make me hesitate.

So true, as we all started some day, but some forgot how hard it was.
You can already start to download the manual, to make yourself familiar with the capabillities of the mini 3 pro.
I started more than 10 years ago where GPS was an expensive luxury. I had to learn it the hard way without position hold and automatic hight hold, but with todays modern drones it is more convenient so that someone can more focus on the video or picture content, than keeping the drone into the air.

I was into b&w SLR photography before digitals came on the market. The old days of processing film, darkroom editing, and mechanical SLRs are gone. I'm not too worried about the photography part of drone flying, it's learning how to fly and knowing regulations. I want to learn it quickly but unfortunately, living so close to DC means no daily practicing in the backyard. I guess that's part of the price of having position hold and auto heigh hold. That price added to the price of a Mini 3 is pretty steep.   

I don't know if this applies to you but does US have shielded operations?  

https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/your-drone-questions-answered/what-is-shielded-flight/

So live within 5kms from an Airport so shouldn't be able to fly (In New Zealand) however because I have a power pylon within 100m and a bank 30m higher than me between my house and the airport I can fly 30m up legally. I just had to apply with DJI Flysafe and got a years waiver to fly above my house which I loaded to the drone. Not sure if any of this may help but may apply in US too?

Good luck!

Bussty Posted at 7-10 14:36
I don't know if this applies to you but does US have shielded operations?  

https://www.aviation.govt.nz/drones/your-drone-questions-answered/what-is-shielded-flight/

Not currently, but I believe it is one of the things the FAA are currently looking at/reviewing.

It would be perfect for me, if was available, instead of a 30 minute drive just to practise manouvering.

boxer13 Posted at 7-8 17:07
Many thanks! The Geo Zone Map does simplify things. Looks like there a few areas safe to fly a drone.  Although I find it a bit asinine not being allowed to fly a drone in a NFZ as long as it's on one's own private property and kept under a ridiculously low altitude, say, 20 or 30 feet.

Hi there boxer13. You are very much welcome and if you have any inquiries or any concerns with DJI. Please feel free to post it here at DJI Forum. We are all here to help and assist you. Thank you. .