EU drone regulation for DJI Mavic 3 Pro [ drone class C2 ]

EU Drone Law

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What are the requirements, rules and laws according to the new  EU drone regulation for the new  DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone with the drone class C2 ?

Important: This article only deals with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro. Other drone models may fall into a different weight class or drone class and are therefore covered in separate articles: EU Drone Regulation by Drone Model

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In this article we summarize all the important information that must be observed from 2021 according to the new EU drone law . A summary of the complete EU drone regulation can be found here: EU drone regulation / drone law

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The DJI Mavic 3 Pro  is one of the first drones to have an EU classification or certification in accordance with the new EU drone regulation. It was certified as a drone in drone class C2 , due to its take-off weight (MTOM) of over 900 grams. This puts it in drone class C2 (900 grams to 4kg) with special requirements for this drone.

Here is a list of the requirements that must be met when operating this drone:

Drone Insurance

 In any case, drone insurance is required for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro . Although this is not explicitly stipulated in the EU drone regulation, it is in the German Air Traffic Act (LuftVG § 43). In addition to the EU drone law, the specifications and laws of the individual EU countries continue to apply.

However, this is less complex and expensive than most people think. Good drone insurance is cheap  and only costs a few euros a year. Liability insurance for a drone can easily be taken out online and often even without a contract period .

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Specifications DJI Mavic 3 Pro

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone can be based on the EU drone law and its drone class C2 in the OPEN (Open) category and in the sub-category A3 (far away from bystanders) or also in the OPEN A2 category (closer to bystanders people) are operated. Which of the two categories applies depends on the pilot’s drone license.

This means in detail:

• If the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is only to be operated under subcategory A3 of the OPEN category (i.e. far away from people and at a minimum distance of 150 m from residential areas / residential properties, commercial, industrial or recreational areas), only the small EU drone license   ( EU proof of competence) required.
  However, if the drone is not only to be operated in subcategory A3 of the OPEN category (i.e. far away from people and at a minimum distance of 150 m from residential areas/residential properties, commercial, industrial or recreational areas), but also in category A2 (in a safer Distance to people – i.e. at least 30 meters distance to bystanders in normal flight mode or at least 5 meters distance in slow mode), this is the large EU drone driver’s license (EU long-distance pilot certificate) required (and thus also the EU proof of competence, since this small EU drone driver’s license is the prerequisite for the large EU drone driver’s license): All information
  about the EU drone driver’s licenses
• the drone operator (i.e. usually the pilot’s registration) must be registered with the Federal Aviation Authority (LBA ) . It is not necessary to register the drone itself or each individual drone. The operator of the unmanned aerial vehicle system (UAS operator) receives an electronic registration number (e-ID) there, which he must visibly attach to the drone (see below).
  Information on EU registration for drone pilots & UAS operators
• the drone must be identified,  e.g. by means of a drone license plate / an  EU drone sticker , which must contain the registration number of the UAS operator
• This UAS operator ID must not only be affixed visibly to the outside of the drone, for example, but also entered in the firmware / software of the drone in the case of classified drones. This is usually possible in the manufacturer’s app. For DJI drones, this is done in the DJI Fly app in the settings under “Security” > “Drone identification” > “Registration no. of the pilot”. This ID and the position of the drone are then sent permanently during the flight.
• drone insurance / drone liability insurance is  mandatory.

What can I do with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro?

• the permitted  maximum flight altitude is 120 meters above ground
• Flight only in visual line of sight (VLOS = visual line of sight). Exception: the drone flies in follow-me mode (also called ActiveTrack or FocusTrack at DJI) or an observer stands next to the pilot and instead has the drone in view and is in constant contact with the pilot
• Respect privacy – no recordings of people without permission
• flying is allowed in all subcategories of the OPEN category (subcategories A1, A2 and A3). So also in the vicinity of people – even by uninvolved people: Details on the OPEN category in the EU drone regulation .
• no crowds / crowds of people should be flown over
• should uninvolved persons be unexpectedly overflown, this overflight must be ended as quickly as possible
• flying is also permitted in residential areas/over residential lots
• the manufacturer’s instructions for use (i.e. the DJI specifications / manual / tutorials for the DJI Mavic 3 Pro) must be read and observed
• the DJI Mavic 3 Pro may be flown alone from a minimum age of 16 years . It is also possible to fly under the age of 16 if the flight is supervised by a person authorized to fly.

Where can I fly?

• not in the vicinity of emergency operations (accident / disaster / fire)
• maximum flight altitude is 120 meters
• If the pilot only has the  small EU drone driver’s license (EU proof of competence), the DJI Mavic 3 Pro must be at least 150 m away from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas. It may only be flown in areas that are free of bystanders.
  With the additional  large EU drone pilot’s license (EU long-distance pilot’s certificate), the pilot can fly up to 30 meters to uninvolved people in normal flight mode. In slow mode, the pilot can even fly up to 5 meters from bystanders. In addition, there is no longer a minimum distance to residential areas etc.
• No-fly zones must be observed – these are not only regulated uniformly in the EU drone regulation, but also country-specific and specified in the so-called GEO system or the GEO zones.
  For Germany, the requirements of the Air Traffic Regulations (LuftVO) apply here – specifically §21h. More details here:
  LuftVO Germany – national drone law .
  The LuftVO §21h includes, for example:
  • 1 km lateral distance to airfields and airports as well as 5 km distance in extension of the runway
  • 100 m lateral distance to traffic routes (motorways / federal trunk roads / waterways / railway systems)
  • 100m lateral distance to energy production facilities (overhead lines and power plants) / places of accident etc.
  • no flight over residential property without the express permission of the owner. The only exception: drones under 250g without a camera.
  • no flight over nature reserves
  • There are also exceptions to the individual points! Details: see link above to the Air Regulation.
• Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS) is currently publishing the no-fly zones / GEO zones / no-fly zones / FlySafe zones in its DRONIQ app , which can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store and Google PlayStore

Based on the Regulation for the Operation of Unnamed Aerial Systems (UAV) – Implementing Regulation EU 2019/947

Youtube video on the EU Drone Regulation 2021 and DJI Mavic 3 Pro:

EU Drone Regulation and DJI Mavic 3 Pro – FAQ