Airspace Mapping, Geofencing, and the DJI Question: India's Drone Platform Dilemma
How conflicting airspace maps, Chinese-manufactured geofencing, and real-time restriction gaps create a daily operational puzzle for India's drone operato...
How conflicting airspace maps, Chinese-manufactured geofencing, and real-time restriction gaps create a daily operational puzzle for India's drone operators.
Every drone flight in India begins with a simple question: Can I fly here? The answer should be straightforward.
It is not.
India's Airspace Classification Drone Rules 2021 divides Indian airspace into three zones: Green Zone: No permission required.
Uncontrolled airspace below 400 feet AGL, away from airports and restricted areas Yellow Zone: Permission required via DigitalSky.
Controlled airspace, near airports, and certain urban areas Red Zone: No-fly zones.
Military installations, international borders (within 25 km), strategic locations, and areas designated by MHA The theory is clean.
The practice is messy.
The Map Problem DGCA publishes an airspace map through the DigitalSky/eGCA platform.
DJI implements its own geofencing through the GEO (Geospatial Environment Online) system.
These two maps do not agree.
Where They Diverge Airport buffer zones: DGCA mandates specific geometric boundaries around aerodromes.
DJI's GEO system applies circular buffers that may be larger or smaller than the DGCA requirement.
Military areas: DGCA red zones around military installations are based on classified coordinates.