So i got a call form the FAA today about a request I sent in about 50days ago to get approval to fly in my area. I am outside of the 15 mile radius of Regan National Airport and about 5-8 miles from being outside of the SFR area. I am right next to a county airport that doesn't have a control tower. So I contacted the FAA to see who I need to contact about flight within 5 miles of the airport. After speaking with the agent he let me know that the airspace im in is uncontrolled G so I dont have to contact anyone to fly here. I have to follow the sUAS rules and give right of way to any aircraft. That was very suprising to me. There is a class B cone above but the ceiling / floor of that is 100/35 and I will never be anywhere remotely close to that. But of course DJI has the geofencing causing my drone to be locked. So I need to unlock it before each flight. I use groundstation pro that doesnt allow unlocking due to no internet connection on the tablet. I guess one option is to do the advance unlocking but seems like a lot to do for an area that should be unlocked already! Does anyone know how to unlock drone deploy app from restricted airspaces or other mapping apps?

I feel your pain!  I live around the area as well but closer in than you possibly!  Have to travel a bit each time I fly!

I'm also in the area and noticed with the .0500 firmware update that I no longer have to unlock an area that was just outside the DC RFZ, but close enough to the red zone to activate the geofencing. Now I can actually go a little ways into the red zone before it complains. Have you updated and tried to fly yet?

Ex Machina Posted at 2017-3-10 15:59
I'm also in the area and noticed with the .0500 firmware update that I no longer have to unlock an area that was just outside the DC RFZ, but close enough to the red zone to activate the geofencing. Now I can actually go a little ways into the red zone before it complains. Have you updated and tried to fly yet?

There's no red zone around me. Im north of the beltway in Gaithersburg, MD I have not done the update yet.

Use hotspot feature on your smartphone for Internet connection. Unlock, enjoy!

R&L Aerial  Posted at 2017-3-11 10:40
Use hotspot feature on your smartphone for Internet connection. Unlock, enjoy!

I have to check to see how much the mobile hotspot is for sprint. I think it's an extra $20 a month.

Masdog Posted at 2017-3-14 10:21
I have to check to see how much the mobile hotspot is for sprint. I think it's an extra $20 a month.

Your carrier can charge you extra money simply to enable a feature that's built into every smartphone? Damn... Sounds like the American telco industry badly needs more competition and/or consumer protection regulations.

Masdog Posted at 2017-3-14 10:21
I have to check to see how much the mobile hotspot is for sprint. I think it's an extra $20 a month.

Just use the Advance unlocking you can do the same zone multiple times to give you un-interupted flights.
http://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-system/unlock

R&L Aerial  Posted at 2017-3-11 10:40
Use hotspot feature on your smartphone for Internet connection. Unlock, enjoy!

Great advice!

DJI-Ken Posted at 2017-3-14 10:47
Just use the Advance unlocking you can do the same zone multiple times to give you un-interupted flights.
http://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-system/unlock

This is useful.  Thanks.

DronePanora Posted at 2017-3-14 11:18
This is useful.  Thanks.

Your welcome.

Ex Machina Posted at 2017-3-10 15:59
I'm also in the area and noticed with the .0500 firmware update that I no longer have to unlock an area that was just outside the DC RFZ, but close enough to the red zone to activate the geofencing. Now I can actually go a little ways into the red zone before it complains. Have you updated and tried to fly yet?

Yes; I have updated and you are correct.  For some reason I am able to fly without prompts in the former areas that I received prompts before.  Still cannot fly in my yard yet!  LOL

DJI-Ken Posted at 2017-3-14 10:47
Just use the Advance unlocking you can do the same zone multiple times to give you un-interupted flights.
http://www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-system/unlock

Yeah I will do that. The problem is I cant be spontaneous if needed and the fact it should be unlocked already! But it is what it is for now. Advanced unlocking  will have to do.

Masdog Posted at 2017-3-15 10:58
Yeah I will do that. The problem is I cant be spontaneous if needed and the fact it should be unlocked already! But it is what it is for now. Advanced unlocking  will have to do.

Understand, and sorry about that.