Since January 1, 2021, recreational drones are subject to harmonized European regulations, developed by the EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency). It defines the authorized uses according to the class of the machine, taking into account its safe luggage, its size or its weight. According to these rules, the DJI Mavic 3 is, for example, a C1 category drone, and it is also the first to have received its certification. Attention, it is necessary to update this drone using its latest firmware, the only one that is compatible with said certification.
Thanks to this certification, the Mavic 3 is authorized to fly in category A1, which means that it can circulate above people, but not above dense groups of people. This certification therefore exempts Mavic 3 pilots from having to pass the costly (and complex) A2 pilot’s license. Instead, a much more accessible online theoretical exam around the main skills needed to fly a drone is enough. This certification, obtained from the German organization TÜV Rheinland, is valid in all the countries of the European Union, plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Several changes had to be made to the Mavic 3 for it to be certified. Through a new firmware, DJI has made every effort to respect the prerequisites in terms of sound emissions, to deactivate the ActiveTrack tracking function beyond 50 m distance with the subject and to automate the behavior of the prevention LEDs installed. on the drone to signal its presence according to several scenarios.
From the end of the year, labels identifying the Mavic 3 as a certified C1 drone can be ordered free of charge by its users, as long as they can justify having updated their product with an adequate firmware.