DJI’s Inspire consumer drone.

UAV giant DJI has rolled out a new initiative designed to help Australian pilots fly safely and legally.

This project is the latest safety initiative from the firm that controls 85 perent of the consumer drones market, and the first to target Australian customers specifically.

The quiz will require pilots to answer a series of basic questions correctly about safe drone use before their next flight, based on the Civil Aviation Safety Authority’s (CASA) rules and regulations.

All Australian pilots firing up their DJI GO or DJI GO 4 app after February 14 will be presented with nine questions and must correctly answer all of them in order to be able to fly. Pilots can continue answering questions until they successfully pass the DJI Knowledge Quiz. Overseas users will also be prompted to take the quiz when they connect to DJI’s flight apps in Australia.

“As drones become more portable, intelligent and accessible, we expect to see more enthusiasts using this technology at home, on their travels and as a complementary tool for their work,” said Adam Welsh, Head of Asia Pacific Public Policy at DJI.

“The majority of pilots fly safely and responsibly but DJI has taken this step so that new drone pilots have an opportunity to learn and understand some simple safety rules as part of their first flying experience.”

The initiative was publicly welcomed by CASA.

“CASA welcomes the release of the DJI Knowledge Quiz,” said Luke Gumley, Branch Manager, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems at CASA. “It will help new DJI drone owners understand the recreational drone rules in Australia. CASA supports efforts by manufacturers like DJI that develop innovative solutions such as the Knowledge Quiz, and assist drone owners to know their responsibilities as a recreational drone pilot and how to operate their drone safely.”

DJI has previously developed and engineered 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, and has a history of  quickly developing and deploying intelligent flight features and technologies that improve the safety and ease of use of their UAVs, including automatic altitude limitations, sense-and-avoid technology which uses sensors to identify obstacles and either stop short of them or navigate around them, and a return-to-home function.