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 completely different actuality — one the place their companies may not survive the subsequent two years.

How drone pilots really feel concerning the FCC ban on overseas drones

Pilot Institute, which is a broadly regarded schooling group that gives programs on drones and airplanes,  surveyed 8,056 drone operators nationwide from December 9-15, 2025 about how they could really feel a few 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 have been already deeply anxious about potential DJI restrictions. Listed here are some highlights of what the Pilot Institute survey (which you’ll be able to learn in full right here) discovered:

• 83.8% of survey respondents stated if inexpensive shopper drones grew to become tougher to acquire, the variety of new individuals getting into the drone business would lower considerably.
• 57.8% have been “extraordinarily involved” about potential federal actions proscribing DJI drones, with one other 25.5% “very involved.”
• 43.4% stated shedding entry to new DJI drones would have an “extraordinarily detrimental/doubtlessly business-ending affect” on their operations.

These operators have been apprehensive about hypothetical restrictions, with almost half apprehensive that their companies might stop to exist underneath such a ban. Now these restrictions are actual, with a 12-month timeline to attain 65% home content material or lose market entry solely.

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 might be 100% DJI.
• 87% realized to fly on a DJI drone.
• 72.5% realized on a DJI shopper drone particularly.

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

Breaking down by sector reveals the dependence is much more excessive in crucial 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 stated not having the ability to purchase DJI drones would doubtlessly finish their operations

Provide points have already been taking place

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

• 45.6% stated costs for DJI drones or elements have been noticeably greater than earlier than
• 41.8% have been unable to buy a selected DJI mannequin they needed
• 33.3% couldn’t get wanted DJI elements or equipment (batteries, gimbals, and many others.)

And these provide disruptions had actual monetary penalties:

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

Amongst those that misplaced or delayed work, the monetary impacts ranged from underneath $1,000 to over $50,000, with 15% of corporations with 6-20 workers 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 Checklist, in addition to people who meet the “Purchase American” normal (which means it’s at the least 65% U.S.-made by price).

Nonetheless, that possible gained’t be adequate for American drone pilots. Primarily based on the Pilot Institute survey:

• 29% stated no platforms are at present accessible that match their wants.
• 36% stated they’d begin evaluating options quickly (however hadn’t but).
• 58% of leisure customers stated they don’t have plans to modify to a non-DJI platform.

Amongst those that evaluated non-DJI options, the obstacles have been overwhelming:

• 64.2% cited greater buy prices
• 64.3% cited decrease efficiency
• 54.9% cited much less dependable or mature {hardware}
• 53.3% cited lack of options they rely on

What’s subsequent for the reason that FCC drone?

Maybe essentially the most telling information level within the Pilot Institute survey is when it requested “If a DJI ban have 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 greater prices and decrease margins.
• 16.7% would cut back the quantity of drone work they do.
• 11.3% would shift their work away from drones to different companies.
• Solely 9.7% stated they’d make investments closely in non-DJI options.

Alas, investing in non-DJI options is purportedly the aim of this complete factor, but it surely appears unlikely that there’s a buyer base keen to do it.

In the meantime, American drone comapnies aelebrating

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

“This can be a main second for the American drone business,” stated 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 enjoying subject for U.S. producers competing with foreign-subsidized merchandise.”

The place Crimson Cat CEO Jeff Thompson sees the ban as leveling the enjoying subject, 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 in-built the US.”

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

What drone operators need

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

• 49.8% needed no further restrictions on DJI past present guidelines.
• 47.0% supported focused restrictions just for delicate authorities or crucial 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 needed.

The last word irony

Right here’s what makes this complete state of affairs much more darkly comical: The FCC ban was introduced December 22, 2025. DJI bought 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 US. American producers simply bought handed regulatory safety from future competitors whereas DJI will get to promote their latest merchandise for at the least one other 12 months.

Associated