In the event you’re the proprietor of a DJI Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Cine drone and are primarily based in Europe, you may get C1 Certification. Even higher, it may be obtained without charge and comparatively simply.
As of Dec. 9, 2022, DJI made it attainable for its customers to request a C1 certificates totally free. You’ll must have on-hand your drone serial quantity, and also you’ll additionally must have accomplished the newest DJI firmware replace.
C1 Certification is doubtlessly a giant boon for homeowners of the most recent line of Mavic drones. Advantages of holding C1 certification embody:
- Means to fly within the new A1 Open Class
- No must move the complicated and dear A2 “Distant Piloting License” examination, which is in any other case required
- Extra freedom to fly in environments they’ve been restricted from with out the C1 certificates or in any other case going via size paperwork processes of acquiring particular permission
The C1 certificates is a comparatively new idea. The most recent algorithm for flying drones within the EU divides drones into lessons between C0 and C6. C0 drones are small and have comparatively little complexity. All drones within the C0 class should weigh lower than 249 grams, such because the DJI Mini 3 Professional and the DJI Mini 2. Because the numbers following the C get larger, so comes the ability of the drones. Most digital camera drones are thought of class C1.
In August 2022, TÜV Rheinland, which is an official ‘Notified Physique’ allowed to certify drones for classification in accordance with the necessities of the brand new EASA laws in August granted C1 certification to DJI’s Mavic 3 drone. Principally, the TÜV Rheinland certification means the Mavic 3 drone has licensed options like a distant identification system, a dependable knowledge hyperlink, and an information interface for a geo-awareness system to adjust to airspace limitations.
From there, DJI used the time to develop the method of getting that C1 Certification label, which is the place we’re as we speak.
The method of getting C1 Certification for the DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine
For now, the C1 class identification label is just obtainable for Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine drone homeowners to use for. However in case you have a type of drones, right here’s what it’s essential do to get the certificates:
- Go to the DJI Fly app (it should be up to date to at the least model 1.9.0).
- Join your Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Cine and replace it to the newest firmware model (01.00.0900 or above).
- Faucet apply on the pop-up for the C1 label software.
- Fill out a brief, digital software type, which asks for some primary figuring out information equivalent to tackle.
- Wait to your C1 label to reach by snail mail. DJI says supply time will depend on native components.
- As soon as the label arrives, connect it and add a photograph of your drone with the label on it to the DJI Fly App. Discover it by navigating to Profile > Service and Assist > C1 Class Identification Label.
You must also maintain your documentation available whereas flying.
Acquiring a C1 certificates is voluntary. However should you select to go for the replace after which replace your firmware, all future firmware updates of the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine will embody the technical adjustments required by the C1 certificates and can’t be reversed.
However after you have the C1 certificates, it’s legitimate throughout the European Financial Space (EEA, i.e. EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and applies to all {hardware} and C1-updated-firmware of the DJI Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine.
Must you get C1 licensed?
As talked about, C1 certification is voluntary, and never everyone seems to be opting to go for it. DJI put collectively a desk spelling out the primary variations between flying the Mavic 3 and Mavic 3 Cine with or with out C1 certificates. Whereas there are some advantages, there are additionally tradeoffs, relying on the way you view flying.
Right here’s that desk, supplied by DJI:
| Working Space | Operational Restrictions | Pilot Competence |
| With C1 certificates and C1-compliant firmware (flying within the A1 Open Class any longer and after 31 December 2023) | – No flying over uninvolved individuals (if it occurs, must be minimized)
– No flying over assemblies of individuals |
– Learn consumer handbook
– Acquire A1/A3 “Proof of Competence” primary drone certificates by taking an officially-recognized theoretical on-line examination with no limitations on makes an attempt earlier than passing |
| With out C1 certificates and with out C1-compliant firmware (flying within the A2 Open Class till 31 December 2023; or within the A3 Open Class after 1 January 2024) | – No flying over uninvolved individuals – Maintaining a minimal 50 m horizontal distance from individuals till 31 December 2023 – After 1 January 2024, flying in areas free from individuals and 150 metres horizonal distance or extra away from properties |
– Learn consumer handbook
– Acquire A2 “Distant Piloting License” by taking an officially- acknowledged theoretical on-line examination, and declaring self-practical coaching. When failing, the client has to reapply for the examination with attainable further prices concerned |
However with the advantages come some tradeoffs. For instance, should you depend on utilizing DJI’s ActiveTrack Clever Flight Mode to movie individuals or objects, you’ll be restricted to flying inside 50 meters from the topic, which could restrict the sorts of photographs you possibly can take (for flights past 50 meters, ActiveTrack shall be routinely disabled). Different adjustments embody changes to LEDs when it comes to after they activate or blink.
Although, these adjustments are solely activated every time a C1-certified DJI Mavic 3 or Mavic 3 Cine is flown within the European Financial Space (EEA), so you could possibly carry a licensed drone to the U.S. and it wouldn’t apply.
It stays to be seen when different drones will get related certifications, but it surely’s probably DJI will push for extra of its drones to be eligible for certification simply as simply as it’s for the Mavic 3. And different drone firms will probably quickly observe DJI’s lead. We’ll be watching.
