Drone pilots are terrified by the FCC ban on overseas drones

Whereas Crimson Cat Holdings issued a triumphant press launch calling the FCC’s overseas drone ban “a significant second for the American drone business,” hundreds of American drone pilots are going through a drastically totally different actuality — one the place their companies won’t survive the following two years.

How drone pilots really feel in regards to the FCC ban on overseas drones

Pilot Institute, which is a extensively regarded schooling group that provides programs on drones and airplanes,  surveyed 8,056 drone operators nationwide from December 9-15, 2025 about how they could really feel a couple of ban on DJI drones.

Coincidentally, that survey occurred simply days earlier than the FCC dropped the ban announcement on December 22. These operators didn’t know the regulatory hammer was about to fall, but they had been already deeply anxious about potential DJI restrictions. Listed here are some highlights of what the Pilot Institute survey (which you’ll learn in full right here) discovered:

• 83.8% of survey respondents mentioned if reasonably priced shopper drones turned more durable to acquire, the variety of new folks coming into the drone business would lower considerably.
• 57.8% had been “extraordinarily involved” about potential federal actions limiting DJI drones, with one other 25.5% “very involved.”
• 43.4% mentioned dropping entry to new DJI drones would have an “extraordinarily adverse/probably business-ending affect” on their operations.

These operators had been nervous about hypothetical restrictions, with practically half nervous that their companies may stop to exist beneath such a ban. Now these restrictions are actual, with a 12-month timeline to realize 65% home content material or lose market entry fully.

Why the DJI affect hits hardest

The survey reveals near-complete market focus round DJI platforms.

• 96.7% of operators use DJI drones.
• 70% function fleets which can be 100% DJI.
• 87% discovered to fly on a DJI drone.
• 72.5% discovered on a DJI shopper drone particularly.

This isn’t a market with wholesome competitors and simple options. Alas, it is a market the place DJI has develop into the de facto normal as a result of no person else has delivered comparable merchandise at aggressive costs.

Breaking down by sector reveals the dependence is much more excessive in vital areas:

• 97% of public security companies use DJI drones (solely 13% use Skydio)
• 70% of agriculture customers have fleets made solely of DJI drones
• 56% of agriculture, utility, and public security customers mentioned not having the ability to purchase DJI drones would probably finish their operations

Provide points have already been taking place

Even earlier than the ban, drone operators had been experiencing important disruption attributable to points such because the CBP blocking DJI shipments beneath the Uyghur Compelled Labor Prevention Act. Different points equivalent to tariffs and even DJI not transport their drones to the U.S. for numerous causes have brought on points, together with:

• 45.6% mentioned costs for DJI drones or elements had been noticeably larger than earlier than
• 41.8% had been unable to buy a particular DJI mannequin they wished
• 33.3% couldn’t get wanted DJI elements or equipment (batteries, gimbals, and so forth.)

And these provide disruptions had actual monetary penalties:

• 18.2% misplaced jobs or contracts
• 37.9% needed to delay jobs or deliverables
• 22.8% mentioned it made their work tougher

Amongst those that misplaced or delayed work, the monetary impacts ranged from beneath $1,000 to over $50,000, with 15% of firms with 6-20 staff reporting losses of $50,000+. Notable 25% of agricultural customers reported misplaced jobs or contracts

Will drone pilots have the ability to use authorized options?

Initially, the FCC rule banned all foreign-made drones. Then in January 2025, the FCC dominated out alternatives for exemption, together with each drones and parts on the Division of Protection’s Blue UAS Cleared Record, in addition to those who meet the “Purchase American” normal (which means it’s at the least 65% U.S.-made by price).

Nonetheless, that possible received’t be adequate for American drone pilots. Based mostly on the Pilot Institute survey:

• 29% mentioned no platforms are presently obtainable that match their wants.
• 36% mentioned they might begin evaluating options quickly (however hadn’t but).
• 58% of leisure customers mentioned they don’t have plans to change to a non-DJI platform.

Amongst those that evaluated non-DJI options, the limitations had been overwhelming:

• 64.2% cited larger buy prices
• 64.3% cited decrease efficiency
• 54.9% cited much less dependable or mature {hardware}
• 53.3% cited lack of options they depend upon

What’s subsequent because the FCC drone?

Maybe essentially the most telling knowledge level within the Pilot Institute survey is when it requested “If a DJI ban had been carried out, what would you probably do?” Not one of the solutions really feel all that ‘America-first’:

• 23.8% would shut down their drone-related enterprise or aspect enterprise.
• 26.4% would proceed operations however with larger prices and decrease margins.
• 16.7% would scale back the quantity of drone work they do.
• 11.3% would shift their work away from drones to different companies.
• Solely 9.7% mentioned they might make investments closely in non-DJI options.

Alas, investing in non-DJI options is purportedly the purpose of this entire factor, however it appears unlikely that there’s a buyer base prepared to do it.

In the meantime, American drone comapnies aelebrating

Now distinction these operator surveys with Crimson Cat Holdings’ triumphant December 23 press launch:

“It is a main second for the American drone business,” mentioned Jeff Thompson, CEO of Crimson Cat in a ready assertion. “We applaud the Administration’s determination to behave with urgency. The FCC’s motion sends a transparent sign that the U.S. is severe about securing its airspace, backing trusted know-how, and leveling the taking part in discipline for U.S. producers competing with foreign-subsidized merchandise.”

The place Crimson Cat CEO Jeff Thompson sees the ban as leveling the taking part in discipline, the 8,056 operators surveyed see it as ending their companies.

Crimson Cat emphasised “the provision of trusted options” and their “NDAA-compliant platforms such because the Black Widow, that are designed and inbuilt the USA.”

Now inform the agriculture operator with a 100% DJI fleet who’s going through enterprise closure how the Black Widow — a tactical navy drone designed for protection functions — goes to assist them monitor crop well being at an reasonably priced value level.

What drone operators need

The survey requested operators about their most popular coverage strategy (once more, earlier than the ban was introduced):

• 49.8% wished no extra restrictions on DJI past present guidelines.
• 47.0% supported focused restrictions just for delicate authorities or vital infrastructure makes use of.
• Solely 2.3% supported broad restrictions on new DJI purchases, which is largely what we ended up with.

Clearly the federal government didn’t ask what drone operators wanted, however as an alternative caved to what American drone producers wished.

The last word irony

Right here’s what makes this entire scenario much more darkly comical: The FCC ban was introduced December 22, 2025. DJI obtained FCC approval for the Avata 360 on November 19, the Lito sequence in late November/early December, and a number of different merchandise on December 19 — three days earlier than the ban.

So DJI’s 2026 product lineup is totally authorized to promote in the USA. American producers simply obtained handed regulatory safety from future competitors whereas DJI will get to promote their latest merchandise for at the least one other yr.

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