DJI Mavic 3 Turns into first Drone Ever to get C1 Drone Certificates in EU

DJI has simply introduced that the corporate has obtained the world’s first EU C1 Kind Examination Certificates for the Mavic 3 collection drone underneath the brand new European Drone Regulation. That implies that with the C1 certificates and up to date C1-compatible firmware, Mavic 3 pilots will be capable of fly within the A1 Open class (as an alternative of the extra regulated and harder to acquire A2) from January 2024 onwards..

European Drone Regulation

In recent times, with the rising variety of civilian-operated drones, it grew to become clear that drone laws wanted severe updating and unification. In Europe, this occurred just lately, though a lot of the adjustments are at the moment within the transition interval and can be absolutely efficient from January 1, 2024. We summarized an important data in our January 2021 article when the brand new European Drone Regulation. To remain updated on all the things authorized about drone flying in Europe, I additionally suggest testing the official EASA web site. Regardless, class C certification is a key element for drone flying in Europe within the years to return.

The world’s first C1 licensed drone

DJI Mavic 3 is the corporate’s present foldable flagship. Introduced in November 2021, the drone boasts a formidable spec sheet with an important gimbal-stabilized digicam module able to taking pictures 5.1K 50fps video on an MFT sensor, as much as 46 minutes of flight time, and many others.

As DJI says, the Mavic 3 has now obtained a C1 certification by the formally acknowledged Notified Physique of TÜV Rheinland (Germany-based world testing service supplier) and can subsequently adjust to the brand new European Drone Regulation. The certification is legitimate all through the European Financial Space (EEA, i.e. the EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and applies to all present DJI Mavic 3 collection C1 {hardware} and up to date firmware.

Benefits of C1

In line with DJI, the C1 certificates for the Mavic 3 collection requires customers to replace C1-compatible firmware, which supplies a number of advantages. Customers will be capable of fly within the new Open Class A1 and can not should go the advanced and costly A2 “Distant Piloting License” examination (Nonetheless, the A1/A3 “Proof of Proficiency” primary drone certificates continues to be required for all drones weighing 250 grams or extra).

C1-certified drone pilots can even have extra freedom to fly in environments the place they’ve been restricted with out the certificates, until they receive particular permission after a further administrative course of. EASA has a useful PDF file of all of the C courses.

What precisely is the distinction between A1 and A2? DJI has summarized the precise variations of flying a C1 licensed and non-C1 licensed drone into three classes:

• Operation space:
  • With C1: fly within the open class A1 from now and after December 31, 2023.
  • With out C1: fly within the open class A2 till December 31, 2023; or within the Open Class A3 after January 1, 2024.
• Operation restrictions:
  • With C1: don’t fly over uninvolved folks (if it occurs, it needs to be minimized), don’t fly over gatherings of individuals.
  • With out C1: don’t fly over uninvolved individuals, sustaining a minimal horizontal distance of fifty m from individuals till December 31, 2023. After January 1, 2024, fly in areas freed from individuals and a horizontal distance of no less than 150 m from the properties.
• pilot competitors
  • With C1: Learn the person guide and acquire the A1/A3 Primary Drone Certificates “Proof of Proficiency” by taking an formally acknowledged on-line principle examination with no limitations on makes an attempt earlier than passing.
  • With out C1: Learn the person guide and acquire the A2 “Distant Pilot License” by taking an formally acknowledged on-line principle take a look at and declaring self-practical coaching. Upon failure, the consumer should reapply for the examination with potential extra prices concerned.

C1 certificates necessities

C1 licensed drones with C1 compliant firmware are additionally topic to extra obligatory adjustments underneath the European Drone Regulation:

• The Mavic 3 collection complies with the brand new noise discount stage of 83db.
• When utilizing ActiveTrack clever flight mode to movie folks or objects, the individual/object distance can be restricted to 50m. Past 50 m, ActiveTrack can be disabled.
• The auxiliary LEDs will mechanically activate or off throughout use, relying on the precise surroundings, and
• the LEDs on the entrance arms of the drone will flash by default whereas the UAV is powered on.

These adjustments can be activated at any time when any DJI Mavic 3 collection C1 licensed drone is flown within the European Financial Space (EEA).

Accessible within the fourth quarter of 2022

In line with DJI, the applying course of to acquire the brand new C1 class ID tag for the Mavic 3 collection is scheduled to be obtainable to all prospects beginning within the fourth quarter of 2022. From that date, customers will be capable of apply from voluntarily and for free of charge. The method would require offering the drone’s serial quantity and affirmation that C1 suitable firmware has been put in.

As soon as the C1 software course of has been began, all future Mavic 3 collection firmware updates will embody the technical adjustments required by the C1 certificates and can’t be reversed.

Class C certification for different DJI drones

The excellent news is that DJI guarantees to get Class C certification for the corporate’s different drones in time to adjust to the brand new EASA guidelines. As the corporate states, it’s dedicated to complying with the brand new European Drone Regulation for different current and future drone fashions, and can work with Notified Our bodies to acquire extra drone certificates over the subsequent 12 months.

Featured Picture Credit score: Picture by Christian Lue on Unsplash (edited by CineD)

Do you fly with the DJI Mavic 3 in Europe? What different drone mannequin would you wish to see get a Class C certification? Tell us within the feedback part beneath the article.