What options do pilots have if they intend to fly in clear airspace near a designated DJI red zone?

Today’s question is from John, who is working on a project to conduct flight missions around a prison that is no longer functional yet is classified as a red zone by DJI. John would like to know if Pilots have options to fly in such clear airspace and what they would need to know prior to flying.

Today’s episode is brought to you by Drone U mapping events and classes. We talk about some of the new changes we have made to our mapping classes and course curriculum to stay updated with some of the recent trends in the mapping industry such as going over new products for geo-referencing, geo-tagging, GPS and more. Visit our Drone U events page for more details on classes and courses.

We start off today’s show by discussing 3 options that pilots have to effectively fly over red zone while also discussing the approximate times it would take to seek permission.

Our option 1 is to apply to FAA to void a red zone and the steps required to seek clearance while flying over such areas. Drone U members have exclusive access to our step-by-step instruction video on applying to the FAA to void a red zone.

Option 2 is to apply for a QEP (Qualified Entities Program). The Qualified Entities Program (QEP) allows Government and Public Safety entities to have their DJI drone’s altitude and geo-fencing limitations unlocked and as a certified Part 107 pilot you could seek clearance under the program for conducting flights in red zones.

Option 3 is to visit drone-hacks website and navigate through the process of negating geofencing abilities on your drone. Drone-hacks can assist pilots with differing firmware to ensure removal of geofencing abilities.

We also discuss an additional option of using drones other than DJI that do not possess geofencing abilities and would allow flights irrespective of DJI’s red zone.

In summary we discuss the quick and easy steps available for pilots along with the timeline for each option that pilots can pursue to seek permission / unlock the DJI red zone. That’s it for this quick podcast episode. Tune in for more great shows to come.

Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF

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Get Your Biggest and Most Common Drone Certificate Questions Answered by Downloading this FREE Part 107 PDF

Make sure to get yourself the all-new Drone U landing pad!

Get your questions answered: https://thedroneu.com/.

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Timestamps

[1:26] Learn all about Drone U’s mapping classes with new content and additional exercises at a new location
[2:18] Today’s question from John on flying over no-fly zone
[4:30] Flying with authorised permissions in a redone
[5:01] Applying to void a red-zone
[6:45] As a part 107 and apply QEP
[7:39] visit drone-hacks website and navigate ability to negate no fly zones
[9:45] additional option – flying drones without geofencing issues