Drone News Roundup: Nationwide DJI Ban Could Become Reality, Trip to Turkey with the Avata 2, and More!

This week we’re covering the real possibility of a U.S.-wide DJI ban and what the repercussions might be.

We’re also covering a trip to Turkey shot entirely on the DJI Avata 2, MFE Inspection Solutions’ 30 year anniversary, DJI’s new Mini 4K drone, and DRL’s acquisition for $250 million by a company called Infinite Reality.

Now let’s get to those links!

After TikTok, Will DJI Be the Next Chinese Company Banned?

Credit: DJI

DJI spent $1.6 million on lobbying in the U.S. last year. But that may still not be enough to save it from a total U.S. ban. The ban would come in the form of the Countering CCP Drones Act, which the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed unanimously last month, leaving it next to the House to vote on. If it passes, DJI drones won’t be allowed to use U.S. communications infrastructure, making it impossible to fly them here.

If DJI is banned the consequences could be severe. DJI has reported that a ban could lead to the closure of 67% of American small drone businesses, and police and fire departments across the country would suddenly find their drone fleets grounded. And this is just some of the potential fallout. Given that many drones made by U.S. companies and others outside China rely on Chinese components, the majority of drone companies in the world could be impacted by the ban.

Up until recently, we didn’t think the CCP bill stood a chance of actually becoming law. But with the recent passage of the TikTok ban, it’s clear there’s a strong interest in D.C. to block Chinese technology. And it’s looking more and more possible that DJI could be the next company targeted.

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Journey to Turkey with the DJI Avata 2

DJI launched the Avata 2 last month, the long-awaited sequel to its first ever cinewhoop, the Avata. Along with the Avata 2, DJI released the Goggles 3, the newest generation of its FPV goggles. Since the launch, we’ve seen several videos drop featuring stunning FPV footage shot on the Avata 2—and this one shot entirely in Turkey may be our favorite yet. Created by YouTuber PiersonX, the video has beautiful, up-close shots of colorful air balloons, ancient buildings, and horses running on the beach. Take a look if you’d like to see what the Avata 2 is capable of, or if you’d just like a short, beautiful escape to Turkey.

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MFE Celebrates 30th Anniversary

If your work in the drone world intersects with inspections you’ve probably heard of MFE Inspection Solutions, a Texas-based company that partners with top drone manufacturers to bring their technology to heavy industries like Oil & Gas and Power Generation. MFE is also a UAV Coach partner, offering our Part 107 test prep course Drone Pilot Ground School to its clients.

But MFE isn’t just a Texas company, or a U.S. company—it’s a global company. In total, it currently has 14 offices in the U.S., Canada, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Mexico. And drones are actually just a small part of the work MFE does. The company is largely known for its other inspection tools and inspection trainings, and it first made a name for itself by selling tank floor scanners that it makes, a segment of its business that is still thriving. Why are we sharing all of this, you ask? Because the company is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month—a major milestone for any company, and especially one that operates in the ever-changing world of inspection technology. Watch the video above to get an overview of MFE’s journey over the last three decades, and follow the link below to read the full press release.

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Best Beginner Drone? DJI Quietly Launches Mini 4K for $299

Credit: DJI

DJI recently launched a new drone in its Mini line called the Mini 4K. The launch didn’t come with much fanfare—the drone doesn’t appear on DJI’s homepage, and there’s no promotional video for it. But if you’re looking for a good beginner drone, this may be the best option out there at the moment. The Mini 4K comes with—you guessed it—4K video, as well as improved video bit rates of up to 100Mbps and 2x digital zoom. Beyond that, the Mini 4K has all the features you find on the Mini 2 SE (the only difference is that the 2 SE shoots in 2.7K). Like all the Mini drones, the Mini 4K weighs less than 250 grams, which means you don’t have to register it with the FAA. If you’re in the market for an inexpensive starter drone, we’d recommend checking out the new Mini 4K.

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DRL Acquired for $250 Million

Credit: DRL

Since launching in 2015, the Drone Racing League (DRL) has almost single handedly brought drone racing to the masses, taking it from a niche hobby to a popular pasttime. Now the company has been acquired for $250 million by Infinite Reality. Infinite Reality makes tools for the metaverse, helping “creators and companies to develop fully realized immersive experiences.” Since drone racing is immersive, with pilots wearing VR goggles attached to the drone, Infinite Reality is interested in both the technology DRL has created to drive interest—and competition—in drone racing, as well as the drone racing business itself.

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