National Parks
Yosemite gets Invaded By DJI Drones: Anarchy in the Sky
Hi, fellow pilots! There’s some frustrating news coming out of Yosemite National Park, as Petapixel let us know. A wave of illegal drone flights has hit the park as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown leaves rangers short-staffed and law enforcement…
Raleigh’s Drone Park Rules Expose Nationwide Federal Authority Confusion
Raleigh, North Carolina’s newly published drone park guidelines showcase a problem plaguing municipalities across America: cities can’t seem to figure out where their authority ends and federal airspace control begins. The confusion isn’t just an academic legal debate—it directly impacts…
Illegal Drone Flights Surge in Yosemite as Government Shutdown Cripples Ranger Enforcement
Illegal drone activity is spiking across U.S. national parks as the federal government shutdown enters its 23rd day, with tour guides in Yosemite reporting multiple daily sightings compared to their normal rate of about one drone per week. The enforcement…
DJI Quietly Pulls Mavic 4 Pro National Parks Video After Legality Questions
DJI has removed its Mavic 4 Pro promotional video featuring footage from U.S. National Parks and Navajo tribal lands, just days after DroneXL and others in the drone community questioned how the company legally obtained permission to fly in these…
DJI’s Mavic 4 Pro Promo Shows Drone Footage from Prohibited National Parks and Tribal Lands
DJI just posted a promotional video showcasing its new Mavic 4 Pro capturing stunning landscapes across the American West—including drone footage from multiple locations where recreational and commercial drone flights are strictly prohibited or severely restricted. The video features imagery…
FCC Removes Millions of Chinese Electronics Listings as DJI Faces December Ban Deadline
The Federal Communications Commission announced today that major U.S. online retailers have removed millions of product listings for prohibited Chinese electronics—a move that could preview what’s coming for DJI drones in just 74 days. While today’s FCC action targets telecom…
CASA Confirms DJI Mini 5 Pro Classification: Australia Joins US, Canada, UK in Rejecting Sub-250g Status
Australia’s aviation authority has officially confirmed that the DJI Mini 5 Pro will be classified as a “small restricted RPA” rather than a sub-250g micro drone, according to correspondence obtained by Adelaide drone operator Corey Roberts of Airworks Pty Ltd.…
Skyrover S1 Mini Drone Surfaces On Amazon: DJI’s Unreleased Budget Hybrid Drone With 40-Minute Flight Time
A new entry in DJI’s shell company lineup has appeared on Amazon, but U.S. pilots can’t buy it yet. The Skyrover S1 mini drone, distinct from the previously reported Skyrover X1—represents a different strategy from DJI’s rebranding playbook. Rather than…
Skyany X1 Emerges As Latest DJI Mini 4 Pro Clone On Amazon Ahead Of December Ban
DJI’s shell company strategy continues expanding with the Skyany X1, a new Amazon-available drone that’s essentially identical to the previously reported Skyrover X1—both rebranded DJI Mini 4 Pro drones manufactured in Malaysia. The discovery, highlighted in a recent video by…
Yellowstone Drone Flies Again Over Grand Prismatic—Possible Repeat Offender Sparks Outrage
Here’s the drone drama Yellowstone didn’t need: an illegal flight above the Grand Prismatic—sparked outrage and penalties A new video posted by the popular Instagram account Tourons of Yellowstone has ignited fresh outrage after showing a visitor operating a drone…
Drones Prove Vital in Locating Missing American Hiker’s Body in Pyrenees
Rescuers in Spain have located the body of Cole Henderson, a 27-year-old American hiker missing since early July, with drones playing a central role in scanning the rugged terrain of Monte Perdido. This discovery underscores the growing importance of unmanned…
Drones Revolutionize Kīlauea’s Eruption Monitoring
Kīlauea’s ongoing eruption at Hawaii’s summit is a powerful reminder of nature’s force, and drones are proving indispensable in studying it. On June 26, 2025, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) deployed uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) over Halema‘uma‘u crater to…