China Drone Alert (Peak Summer Season): Debunking the 'DJI Green-Zone Illusion' & Mandatory CAAC UOM Registration

1. The "DJI Green-Zone Illusion" vs. Local Legal Airspace Authority

Understanding the critical legal difference between commercial software maps and government airspace authority:

  DJI Fly App Screen (Green "Clearance Zone")
                     │
                     ▼ (Commercial Software Geofence Only)
  ❌ DOES NOT EQUAL LEGAL PERMISSION
                     │
                     ▼
  [Local Public Security Bureau (PSB) & Airspace Authority]
                     │
                     ▼ (Takes Legal Precedence)
  Mandatory CAAC UOM Registration + Local Security Clearance

2. Mandatory CAAC UOM Registration SOP for Foreign Pilots

Under the Interim Regulations on the Management of Unmanned Aircraft Flight, all drones regardless of weight (including sub-249g models like DJI Mini 4 Pro) must carry real-name registration before taking off in mainland China:

Step 1: Access the Official CAAC UOM Portal

Before embarking on your summer journey, visit the official Civil Aviation Administration portal at uom.caac.gov.cn (or access the UOM mini-program).

Step 2: Register Foreign Passport & Aircraft Serial Number (SN)

1. Create an account selecting "Individual / Foreign Passport Holder" (外籍个人用户).
2. Upload a clear scan of your passport data page.
3. Enter the exact Aircraft Serial Number (SN) found inside your drone's battery compartment or settings menu.
4. Input the exact remote controller model (e.g., DJI RC 2).

Step 3: Print and Affix the Official QR Code

Upon successful registration, the UOM system generates a unique Registration Certificate QR Code. Pilots must print this code onto a durable waterproof sticker and affix it visibly to the exterior frame of the drone fuselage.

3. Summer Expedition Filming Etiquette in Western Sichuan & Tibet

To protect your equipment and footage during Q3 summer travels across Aba, Garze, and Tibetan plateaus, enforce these 4 ground rules:

1. 5-Kilometer Absolute No-Fly Buffer: Never launch a drone within 5 kilometers of Tibetan monasteries, military installations, government centers, cellular transmission towers, or hydroelectric dams.
2. Bypass Crowded Tourist Bus Plazas: Do not hover low over crowded tourist queues at major park entrances (such as Jiuzhaigou or Shuangqiaogou). Low-altitude flights over summer crowds risk public endangerment charges.
3. Perform Local Police Courtesy Reporting: When staying in remote county towns (e.g., Litang, Daocheng, or Xiangcheng), stop by the local police station (派出所) or township administration building to present your passport, UOM registration QR code, and state your intended scenic flight locations.
4. Carry Physical Printed Registration Proof: Keep a physical paper copy of your CAAC UOM Registration Certificate inside your camera backpack alongside your physical passport.