In early 2019, the software used to control DJI GO4 drones received a security feature called NFZ with updated flight zones in Brazil. This change generated both positive and negative feedback from users at the time. Positively for striving for greater safety of the company’s drone flights, negatively for limiting areas and places where drones can fly. Today DJI calls a set of security systems on its drones Safe Flight DJIalso applies to all drone models supported by the DJI Fly app, such as Mini 2, Mini 3 Pro, Air 2S, and Mavic 3 models.

In this article, I talk about this type of “control” of flying in DJI drones, which should become more and more strict over time.

* Article updated on 06/10/2022.

O NFZ (no-fly zonein direct translation something like: No-fly zone) is a function that is designed to control the places where the drone can fly, if the GPS detects that the location is in the restricted area, it will not allow the drone to take off. In other areas, the software creates flight restrictions to keep the drone within the rules, such as not being allowed to fly over 150m in an area where there is a restriction, even if the user has defined a higher altitude limit in the app. . . .

These restrictions became more stringent with an update released in early March 2019. The main reason is pressure from the authorities after the problems with drones that occurred in Europe at the end of last year. The second airport with the most flights in London closed for about 4 days, jeopardizing the flights of tens of thousands of people due to a drone. All these days before Christmas, a time with a very large number of flights. In recent months, this kind of problem has arisen in various places around the world.

Geofence types

Below is a brief explanation of how DJI defines its GEO Zone system used by the DJI GO 4 and DJI Fly apps.

The NFZ is actually a kind of “zone” among many restricted to the DJI drone control app. She is the most “famous” precisely because NFZ means no-fly zone, an area where it is not possible to fly a drone. But apart from that, there are a number of other areas with restrictions for flying drones in the app that all users should be aware of.

Since 2013, DJI has been investing in its software to improve security, especially in the Geofence/Geolocation system. For authorities and professionals, this is clearly visible, since the popularization of drones will naturally entail a number of problems related to the lack of common sense among users regarding the rules of flight. Since DJI owns over 70% of the global drone market (2018 est.), the impact of its products on this market is very high, always with positive feedback and negative feedback.

After the update, it is not possible to fly to regions where it was previously possible due to restricted areas blocked in the application itself. Is this something bad? Yes and no, it’s an old story, the many pay for the mistakes of the few, in which case the error can be potentiated as the focus is on avoiding flying near airports and security zones.

Below, we’ll break down each type of DJI delimiter zone on your system, as well as how each one works and is displayed by the app.

DJI GEO Zones Website

There are different types of GEO zones which we have listed below:
– Restricted zones: This zone is displayed in red in the DJI GO app and the user is warned that it is not possible to fly. If you are eligible to work in this type of area, you can email DJI and grant access, which can also be done online.

– Elevation Zones / Elevation Zones: In this area, which is displayed in gray on the map, the user will receive a warning that the flight altitude is limited, this will happen mainly in urban areas with “traffic” of helicopters, for example.

– Authorization zones / Authorization zones: This zone type is displayed in blue, the user will be warned that flights are restricted by default. Authorized users can unlock flight through an account authorized by the DJI system.

– Warning Zones / Warning Zones: These areas may not be highlighted on the application map, but the user may receive warning messages. For example: “Warning Zone: Protected Wilderness Area.”

– Extended warning zone: In this zone type, the app will send an unlock request message with the same procedures as in Authorized Zone mode, however, a verified account or Internet connection is not required to continue flying.

– Densely populated area / Area with a large population: This area is displayed in red on the map to inform you that under normal circumstances this area is very crowded and flying is not recommended. Example: In a commercial area.

– Regulatory Restricted Areas / Restricted Area: Locations where flying is prohibited by law, such as near prisons, police, government offices, etc.

– Recommended flight / Recommended area: Finally, all areas where you can fly without restrictions are displayed in green.

Below is a map of Florianópolis showing areas close to the city’s airport. Note that there are two reddish “zones” that have certain sequence, aircraft runways are shown.

The two most noticeable red zones on the map below are the restricted zones (Restrictec Zones), namely the runways and adjacent areas at the airport, as it moves away within the continuation of the line, the zone becomes high-altitude (wine hue of course), slightly moving away from no-fly zone, we have a blue circle, this is the authorization zone, exactly where the warehouse is located in the photo below, where about 1 month ago I was able to fly with drones, but now the application is displayed as a restricted zone (no-fly zone), without any possibility of release into flight for “regular” users.

You can apply to DJI for permission to fly in the area as above, but you will need a certified account and permits.

Screen Tips for Apps

Application warnings appear in places with restrictions, below is an example of two places in Florianopolis that have restrictions.

One of the caveats I’ve deliberately made for this article is the placement “next to” Hercilio Luz airport in Florianopolis, exactly 3 km in a straight line from the beginning of the nearest part of the airport, but not on the same route as takeoffs and landings.

This place has an area with several “houses” for storing boats of artisanal fishermen, as well as a warehouse, a very beautiful place. I don’t have high flights there, just a few to remove modes with Quickshots flights, precisely in order to avoid problems due to proximity to the airport.

At this location, it is currently no longer possible to fly the drone for a regular user without an email account authorized by the DJI app, this is “Authorization zone“, in direct translation, Authorization zone. Messages appear as soon as you turn on the drone/controller and access the DJI app, making it impossible to fly, first the traditional “Unable to fly”, after clicking it, a status screen opens where an informative red icon appears in “General”. Status” where we finally have the message “The aircraft is in a no-fly zone” as you can see below:

Another situation occurred on the way to the Itacorubi area, on the avenue. da Saudade here in Florianopolis. This avenue is known for giving access to the north of the island.

The system blocks the drone in flights with a height of no more than 150 meters, adjusting it to the type of zone: Altitude zones / Altitude zones. On the map above, you can see that this zone is a sequence of the route of one of the aircraft runways, even very far from the airport, more than 10 km, including hills more than 150 meters high. in the middle of this route, the system determines the location as an altitude zone.

Zones are constantly updated with drone firmware updates. DJI is constantly updating its database of places that should receive restrictions, thereby depriving the company’s drones of the full freedom to fly in places without permission to fly.

Are locks good or bad?

DJI receives a lot of criticism from its drone users on its forum, which is not surprising, since it was enough to update the DJI GO 4 app, and a number of restrictions began to take effect that were not there before. Like many other things, pilots today have become accustomed to the system and limitations, even with many more drone pilots.

In my opinion, this is a natural evolution of this type of product, companies that behave differently than what DJI does will have a number of problems with a lack of awareness among some users. It is very important to note that even with a large field of view, it is difficult to make the right decision to control the drone in order to avoid a crash if a small aircraft or helicopter is approaching the drone, as we see in the video below. .

In Brazil

Another very important detail concerns the Brazilian legislation, which is not directly related to the DJI database and system. In the US, AirMAP has a very advanced flight release process as well as the DJI system when it comes to registered and registered users.

Here the process is not so fast, but it must be done within the framework of the law. It all depends on SARPAS, we recommend registration and authorization to avoid problems, especially if you need to fly in a restricted area. If you unlock your drone and are able to fly in an area not permitted by national law, if you do not have the proper permits and registration of your drone, you may experience issues such as fines and confiscation of the drone.

We have an article on drone flight legislation in Brazil worth reading:

Drones: Laws and Regulations – Find out what it takes to get your drone off the ground
What many don’t know is that most drones require some procedure to take off.