The DJI Mavic 3 has received a key certificate that will ease the limitations on where you can fly the drone in the EU, and several DJI drones may land a certificate soon, according to a report by TechRadar.
Owners of the DJI Mavic 3 will be able to request the first "C1" certificate for flying in the EU with a firmware upgrade later this year. Owners of that drone should be excited about this because it marks a significant milestone for all DJI drones.
In this picture taken on May 11, 2017, a drone flies in the showroom of the DJI headquarters in Shenzhen. China drone-maker DJI is betting on flying machines that shoot pesticide instead of photos to fend off growing competition in the global remote-controlled aircraft market. The world leader in the civilian drones sector is switching its focus from leisure photography to more professional uses for its unmanned aerial vehicles, and it sees agriculture as the future for the burgeoning industry
New European Drone Laws
The new European drone laws, which went into effect in December 2020, include the CE Class certificates, which give drones with the new labels-which range from C0-C4 depending on the drone - to ensure more flying freedom.
However, the requirements for those certificates were not yet established in 2022, leaving the majority of current drones waiting.
The acquisition of a "C1" certificate will offer some immediate advantages to Mavic 3 owners. After the upgrade, they can fly the drone in the new "A1 Open Category," which means they won't need to maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters between the user and people.
The owner only needs to pass the fundamental "proof of competence" theory pass, and it will not require completion of the expensive A2 remote pilot certificate.
However, advantages over a drone of a similar design without a CE Class label will only become apparent after December 31, 2023, as per TechRadar.
In place of being demoted to the A3 Open Category after that date, upgraded Mavic 3 drones will be able to continue flying in the A1 Open Category. With the latter, the user would only be to fly in places devoid of people and at least 150 meters far from properties.
Read also: Drones 2022: Laws and Regulations to Follow When You Have Your Own Drone
DJI's New C1 Class Label
The Mavic 3 will experience certain changes due to this new C1-compliant firmware, which DJI claims cannot be undone and will take effect whenever the Mavic 3 is flown within the European Economic Area (EEA).
Hence, DJI has opted to make the application procedure for the new C1 class label, which will open in the fourth quarter of 2022, through a voluntary process.
These adjustments include turning off ActiveTrack subject-tracking while filming people or objects more than 50 meters away and automatically turning on or off the drone's LEDs during combat, depending on the situation.
When the drone is turned on, its front LEDs also begin to flicker by default, and the Mavic 3 will also be getting an 83 dB noise reduction level, according to TechRadar's report.
Related Article: DJI Launches Mini 3 Pro Drone: How and Where to Buy?
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
