There is not a general federal rule that makes all current DJI flight operations illegal.
The FCC states that Covered List updates do not prohibit the continued use of previously purchased devices and do not ban consumers from continuing to use lawfully purchased devices. See: FCC fact sheet on Covered List updates.
What is changing
The restrictions are moving through communications-equipment and procurement channels, not through a blanket FAA flight ban. FCC Covered List actions can affect equipment authorization for new devices and future market access. Federal and state agencies can also impose procurement or contract restrictions that block certain equipment from funded work.
An aircraft can still be legal to fly under Part 107 and still be disallowed by a client, agency, or contract.
What to do on real projects
- Check the contract before assuming a drone is acceptable
- Separate “legal to fly” from “allowed on this project”
- Assume procurement rules may tighten faster than airspace rules
- Be explicit with clients about what aircraft you intend to use