The officially-recognised notified body of TŰV Rheinland has issued a C1 certificate for DJI’s Mavic 3 series drone under the new European Drone Regulation. The certificate requires users to update to C1 compliant firmware to fly in the new A1 Open Category, without having to pass the A2 Remote Piloting License exam (the A1/A3 “Proof of Competence” basic drone certificate is still needed for all drones weighing 250 grams). Users gain more freedom to fly in environments they have been restricted from without the C1 certificate, previously only possible after obtaining special permission after a lengthy administrative process.
The main differences between flying the Mavic 3 series with or without C1 certificate are:
|
Operating Area |
Operational Restrictions |
Pilot Competence |
|
With C1 certificate and C1-compliant firmware (flying in the A1 Open Category from now on and after 31 December 2023) |
– No flying over uninvolved people (if it happens, should be minimized) – No flying over assemblies of people |
– Read user manual – Obtain A1/A3 “Proof of Competence” basic drone certificate by taking an officially-recognized theoretical online exam with no limitations on attempts before passing |
|
Without C1 certificate and without C1-compliant firmware (flying in the A2 Open Category until 31 December 2023; or in the A3 Open Category after 1 January 2024) |
– No flying over uninvolved people – Keeping a minimum 50 m horizontal distance from people until 31 December 2023
– After 1 January 2024, flying in areas free from people and 150 metres horizonal distance or more away from properties
|
– Read user manual – Obtain A2 “Remote Piloting License” by taking an officially- recognized theoretical online exam, and declaring self-practical training. When failing, the customer has to reapply for the exam with possible additional costs involved |
C1-certified drones with C1-compliant firmware are also subject to additional mandatory changes under European Drone Regulation:
- The Mavic 3 series meets the new noise reduction level of 83db.
- When the ActiveTrack Intelligent Flight Mode is used to film people or objects, the distance from the person/object will be limited to 50 m. Beyond 50 m, ActiveTrack will be disabled.
- the Auxiliary LEDs will be turned on or off automatically during use, based on the actual environment, and
- the LEDs at the front arms of the drone will blink by default for the duration of the UAV being powered on.
These changes will be activated whenever any C1-certified drone of the DJI Mavic 3 series is flown in the European Economic Area (EEA).
The application process for obtaining the new C1 class identification label for the Mavic 3 series is scheduled to be available to all customers from Q4/2022. From that date, users can request it on a voluntary basis – easily and at no cost. The process will require them to provide their drone serial number and confirmation that they have updated to the firmware needed to obtain C1 certification. More details will be announced at the time.
Once the C1 application process has been launched, all future firmware updates of the Mavic 3 series will include the technical changes required by the C1 certificate and cannot be reversed.
In addition to the C1 certification for the Mavic 3 series, DJI is committed to complying with the new European Drone Regulation for other existing and future drone models, and it will work with notified bodies to obtain additional drone certificates over the coming year.
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