The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the National Geographic and Forest Information Institute (IGN) have created a map of flight restrictions for France.

It is hoped that private drone fliers take heed of the map and rather tellingly it is hoped they will avoid reckless and dangerous flights in sensitive areas or the vicinity of aerodromes. That is interesting because France has already fined several private drone operators. In mentioning reckless and dangerous they sending a message that they expect these areas to be followed. Another point of interest all the red built up areas as shapes. Just about every town and village.

The map is available at the Government Geoportal; I found I had to change the transparency level of other layers to allow the drone map to show through.

Now many users use manufacturers map data as gospel and will change app until they find one that does not have their local restrictions showing.

This, of course, would never stand up in a court of law as it is the duty of the operator to know any flight restrictions in the area they fly. Ignorance is no excuse.

So let us compare and contrast the official no-fly zones and other maps.

The official map,

Then DJI

Airmap.io

If DJI wants their version of No Fly Zones to be taken seriously, they will need to focus on the detail a little more.

This could affect sales. Users actively seek out drones without hard coded restrictions that stop them taking off near airports and in built up areas. Sometimes I think they end up with less able multirotors by taking this path.

I believe as drone pilots truly begin to wake up to their responsibilities the NFZ mapping software will start to catch up.

Having each countries aviation authority provide the definitive aeronautical information is the only way to guarantee its integrity. In an age where almost every private pilot has a moving map onboard even the most modest puddle jumper, this is not impossible.

I also think that RPAS will get much smarter much faster than we give them credit for and will be able to stay out of trouble all by themselves.In an airspace and built up area sense and hitting stuff sense.

Just having to think about this topic is a sign of the industry growing up. Ten years its was virtually impossible to geo-fence a field let alone an entire country. When we look back in ten years from now it will be obvious that we are just experiencing growing pains.

Quite surprised Jeppesen has not jumped in with both feet. Regulators know and trust them.

Where is their email address again?