DJI Introduces Knowledge Quiz for Drone Pilots in the UK
Test is the latest step in DJI’s long commitment to improving drone safety
DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, is introducing a knowledge quiz this Friday for all pilots who are operating drones in the UK airspace. The test comes prior to government plans to introduce a safety awareness test for drone users in 2018. A recent survey carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed that 27% of those planning to buy a drone over the Christmas period are unaware of the rules surrounding their usage in the UK.
The new DJI Knowledge Quiz will require drone pilots in the UK to correctly answer a series of basic questions about safe drone use before their first flights. The questions will appear in DJI GO 4, DJI’s main flight app, which runs on smartphones and tablets connected to drone remote controllers.
“The vast majority of drone pilots fly safely and responsibly, but with drone usage bound to increase substantially in the coming years, new enthusiasts will use our technology”, said Christian Struwe, Head of European Public Policy at DJI. “Governments, aviation authorities and drone manufacturers agree that we need to work together to ensure that all drone pilots know basic safety rules”.
Tim Johnson, Policy Director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Anyone operating a drone must do so responsibly and observe all relevant rules and regulations. The rules for flying drones are designed to keep all airspace users safe. We welcome any initiative that reinforces the importance of safe and responsible drone use.”
All DJI pilots will be presented with a list of eight questions and must correctly answer all of them in order to be able to fly. Pilots can continue answering new questions until they successfully pass the DJI Knowledge Quiz. DJI launched the quiz in the United States earlier this year backed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). It will be expanded to other countries in the near future, using questions customised for each country’s rules and guidelines.
ARPAS-UK, the professional trade association for Remotely Piloted Aircraft and Systems, welcomed the introduction of DJI’s Knowledge Quiz: “We fully support DJI's new GO4 app feature, giving users the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of the local laws & commitment to fly-safe when operating UAV/Drones in the UK".
The Knowledge Quiz is the latest step in DJI’s long commitment to improving drone safety with technological and educational solutions:
- In 2014, DJI pioneered geofencing systems for its drones, using GPS position to warn or restrict drone pilots from entering locations which pose national security or aviation safety concerns.
- In 2016, DJI upgraded its geofencing programming to include the capability for live updates of temporary flight restrictions and other changing hazardous conditions such as wildfires, while also adding flexibility for drone pilots with authority to operate in those locations.
- DJI built automatic altitude limitations into its flight control apps to help pilots ensure they fly at safe altitudes. DJI developed sense-and-avoid systems for recent drone models, which use sensors to identify obstacles and either stop short of them or navigate around them.
- DJI created return-to-home systems which automatically guide a drone back to its takeoff point if it is low on battery or loses connection to its pilot.
- DJI invented intelligent systems to monitor available battery life and temperature in real time, maintain battery health and warn of potential battery malfunctions before flight.
- DJI includes a flight simulator with its drone software, so new drone pilots can practice flying on a screen before trying it in reality.
- DJI has implemented the aviation industry standard ADS-B traffic awareness technology by installing receivers in its M200 series drones, giving drone pilots advance warning of nearby traditional aircraft equipped with ADS-B transmitters. DJI has committed to installing ADS-B receivers in additional products in the future.
For additional information, please contact: pr.eu@dji.com
