DJI, the leading civilian drone manufacturer globally, has initiated a phased update of its GEO system by incorporating UAS geographical zone data from national aviation authorities. This aligns with existing drone regulations set by the European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), offering drone pilots increased freedom of flight.

The initial update will be rolled out in countries with compliant geographical maps, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, France, Lithuania, Switzerland, and the UK. Other countries under EASA jurisdiction will follow suit.

According to DJI, its GEO System categorizes airspace into various zones, indicating where it is safe to fly, where flight may pose concerns, or where it is restricted. GEO Zones include Warning Zones, Enhanced Warning Zones, Authorization Zones, Altitude Zones, and Restricted Zones.

Flight restrictions are applied around critical locations like airports, power plants, and prisons and temporarily around major events or emergencies. Some zones, like wildlife reserves and densely populated towns, trigger warnings without prohibiting flight.

The GEO system is advisory, and users are responsible for checking official sources and complying with relevant laws and regulations. DJI allows users with verified accounts to temporarily unlock flights within certain authorized locations, excluding sensitive national security sites.

DJI will integrate the update into most consumer, enterprise, and agricultural drone models, and users can easily implement the change by refreshing their flight app. Notably, DJI was the pioneer civilian drone manufacturer to voluntarily adopt the GEO system in 2013, contributing to protecting airports and sensitive national security sites—the move aimed to prevent inadvertent drone flights within controlled airspace.

Given the evolution of global drone regulations, DJI is gradually updating its GEO system to comply with European drone regulations. As of January 2024, all drone manufacturers are mandated to enable users to download and display UAS geographical zone data from the national aviation authorities of EASA member states. Drone operators are responsible for ensuring they possess the latest UAS geographical data before conducting any operations. In response to this regulatory shift, DJI will update other aspects of its GEO system for DJI drones in EASA member states. (DJI Press Release)

For more information, please visit:

EU Drone Regulations

EASA Open Category Drone Operator Responsibilities

EASA UAS Geographical Zones

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Post Image- DJI GEO Zone System Screenshot- Jan 14, 2024 (Image Credit: DJI)