Overview
Recently, the Interim Regulations on the Flight Management of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (hereinafter the Regulations) were officially published and will take effect on January 1, 2024. This is China’s first dedicated administrative regulation for unmanned aerial vehicle management and is significant for the drone industry. Does DJI require real-name registration, and is a pilot license needed? DJI’s official statement provided detailed explanations.
Registration and Licensing Requirements
DJI states that all consumer-grade DJI drones are classified as light unmanned aerial vehicles. Within an allowable flight altitude of 120 meters above ground, only real-name registration is required; no pilot license or flight approval is needed. Non-commercial flights do not require liability insurance.
Geofencing and No-Fly Zones
Can DJI’s no-fly zone map be used to determine whether an area is controlled airspace? DJI’s answer is “not necessarily.” Currently, DJI’s no-fly zones include some controlled areas, such as airports. DJI’s geofencing is defined by the company based on flight safety and may be adjusted in the future after regulations are clarified.
Countermeasure Devices
DJI also noted that, without authorization from military, police, or counterterrorism agencies, no organization or individual may illegally possess or use drone countermeasure devices. As long as pilots operate legally, they should not need to worry about being interfered with.
