So I took a look at the map DJI provides on the GEO information page. Not happy.
As far as what's come down the pike already, I have no problem registering, I have no problem with restricted airspace, I have no problem with an airmen's knowledge course or test so UAS pilots know where they are flying, the types of airspace and how it all is supposed to work. I do not believe the US national airspace should be open for use by anyone anytime anonymously.
But I do have a problem with dumb rules for the sake of making a show of "doing something". First of all, a five mile restriction around airports is ignorant. No one in general aviation is below 400 feet five miles from an airport, not even helicopters, unless they are military or air ambulance (which is anywhere, not just around airports). Most traffic pattern altitudes are set between 800-1000 feet AGL, so what is the FAA and DJI thinking in restricting a backyard flyer from taking off and staying below 400 feet if they are 4 miles from the airport?
My biggest issue with GEO is the errors. In NJ, there is a large joint military base called McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. Around this base is an "alert area", which is a box on a sectional chart. This box alerts pilots that military activity will be occurring in this area (basically airborne refuelers coming in and out). There are no restrictions on flying into or around the box (other than class D airspace) on general aviation pilots at all! According to the GEO web site, this should be a "green" box alert area with no restrictions, but DJI's map makes the whole alert area a yellow "Authorization" zone. Now every time I want to fly I have to log in and unlock. Ludicris. On top of this pain in the a$$, I was flight planning for the future in Winslow, NJ. This area is surrounded by 3 airports (Cross-Keys, Hammonton Muni and Camden County. Only Hammonton was marked on DJI's chart, with no reference or restriction for the other airports, its as if they are not there. Mind you, these are not small, private fields, but busy general aviation airports. This is an unacceptable error of ommision on DJI's part.
To be fair, this is only the beta of GEO, but I truly hope they get their system straight before it becomes a "forced" update.
For sh$ts and giggles, I gave the unlock function a try, it took just a minute and the authorization zone was unlocked for 3 days. I like the ability to self-certify, and to open up previous no-fly zones.
If DJI is going to make this work, they need to have updated, accurate information. There will also need to a feedback pathway for pilots to alert DJI to errors such as missed airports or zones that are "Authorization" or "Restricted" zones but shouldn't be.