Class Marks - CAA consultation on extension to Legacy and Transitional UAS provisions in the Open Category

[WhiteHawk67]

Yes, I did, is the article old or outdated? I think we can all agree this transition, class issue is so complicated !

[PingSpike]

@WhiteHawk67

is the article old

At least September 2021 according to archive.org.

@WhiteHawk67

we can all agree this transition, class issue is so complicated

Anything CAA do is so complicated

[JockyB]

@PingSpike

What is a Legacy Drone?

Surely at that time the CAA didn’t recognise C markings ? So their statement there is just nonsense ? As until the law takes effect on 1st Jan there’s no such thing as a CAA approved C marked drone in this country

[JoeC]

Presumably, the document must be getting updated as it includes the Air 3S from just last October. Would be nice to see it updated again to reflect the latest news… but then, a) nothing is set in stone and b) they’re trying to sell you a £500 training course

[SparkyFPV]

Wouldnt the CAA just align with EASA

Drone Open Category - Applicable requirements to fly from the 1st of January...

[PingSpike]

Anyone else would, yes.

But will CAA?

[DroneGeek]

@SparkyFPV

Wouldnt the CAA just align with EASA

Although we would hate all the restrictions in Europe.

[Seadog]

How to get the C1 Label For DJI Air 2S

I followed that link and it leads to 2 others

How to get the C0. (Mini 2se)

How to get C1 for mini 4 pro?

How come different categories? Both sub 250g.

[JoeC]

All to do with how you want to fly:

C0 & C1 Classification Mini 4 Pro

@Redskinblack If you intend to fly higher from TO point than 120m (up a mountain for instance) in the EU then you will have to reclass it as C1 and accept the restrictions that come with the classification. It would make no difference to your flights in UK as the classification system was not adopted by the CAA. If you want the freedoms that come with a C0 EU class of drone, ie flying over people then choose this option but it will not fly higher than 120m from TO point in the EU ( this restr…

[AltitudeWales]

Am I right in saying that once the class system is introduced, you won’t need A2 CofC to fly C1 as you’d be flying in the A1 category, and there would be no separation distance rules for people from that date for C1 drones?

[JoeC]

IF they align with EASA… but…

@PingSpike

Anyone else would, yes.

But will CAA?

[mjdutton]

Hi all,

Pretty new so please be nice
I did do a search but only found question this question relating to 2024.

I got a DJI Mini 4 Pro end of last year, it has the =0= sticker on it but can be changed to the =1=, so my question is with the changes coming in January 2026 should I get it switched to =1=?

Kind regards

[AltitudeWales]

Have a look at this thread and the video at the bottom, it may help:

C0 & C1 Classification Mini 4 Pro

Ok this is something new and not to be confused with removing the C0 label pre-Jan 2024 From Jan 2024 you can not remove the C0 classification But you can now reclassify to a C1 labelled drone also bearing in mind this is only relevant if flying in an EASA-regulated country This video will help [How to apply for a C1 Label for your DJI Mini 4 Pro - EASA / EU Drone Rules 2024]

[mjdutton]

The thread you have refereed me to is still talking about 24/25 not the rule changes in Jan 2026, since then a C1 would not require any qualifications to fly a drone over 250g and, a sub 250g drone, C0, can’t go more than 120m away from take off point. So my question is, as a hobbyist would I be better off with a C1 mini 4 pro, and if so am I safe to get it reclassified now as UK doesn’t look at C class yet?

[AltitudeWales]

I believe the 120m is vertical rather than horizontal btw. That said, if you went to a C1 drone you’d be subject to whatever those restrictions come with that category. And I don’t think that’s clear at the moment with it being unclear whether CAA will align the EASA rules which is what the video on that thread shows.

Happy to be corrected if I have misunderstood, but I think knowing specifically what the restrictions will be is a waiting game at the moment, at least based on the response to my question: Class Marks - CAA consultation on extension to Legacy and Transitional UAS provisions in the Open Category - #439 by JoeC

[Scaleber]

Apologies if this is in the wrong section. I have been trying to get my head around the proposed changes to the UK Drone Laws being brought in from the 01-Jan-26 where drones are to be assigned a class from C0 to C4 (I think).

I have a DJI Mini 3 Pro and I have both my Flyer ID and Operator ID. I fly for purely recreational purposes.

Is anyone able to tell me:

• Is the DJI Mini 3 Pro “classified”, if so, what is its classification?
• Succinctly explain how my use will be changed by this classification?
• How do I interpret the classifications. I’m particularly confused wrt people who have sub 250g drones. C0 seems to be the classification for them however it limits the flight to within 120m of the controller. C1 - C4 appear to be for heavier drones which I would have thought would come with additional restrictions due to the damage they can do if they drop from the sky.

Many thanks in advance.

Ian

[PingSpike]

@Scaleber

Is the DJI Mini 3 Pro “classified”, if so, what is its classification?

I’m guessing it doesn’t have a class mark label on it?

(That image probably won’t be accurate come 01/01/26 if they adopt EASA regs word-for-word)

[Scaleber]

No, there’s no marking on it. I’ve just watched a YouTube video which argues this is a good thing as being unmarked, the category is determined by it’s MTOM at the time the flight commences. His argument goes, as the Mini 3 Pro can handle the bigger and heavier battery, DJI would/could classify it as over 250g.

What’s your view?

Cheers,

Ian

[PingSpike]

CAP3105, published today, contains significant information relating to Class Marks.

We propose to:

• Implement UAS product requirements for UAS intended to be used in the Open Category from 1st January 2026, such that UAS placed on the market are safe and secure by design, to minimise the likelihood and impact of UAS causing harm.

• Amend regulation to use UK-specific class-identification labels on class-marked UAS, replacing the C0 label with UK0 and so forth, to differentiate between compliance in the UK and EU.

And:

We propose to:

• Implement Direct Remote ID product and operational requirements from 1st January 2026. These requirements will come into force for UK1, UK2, UK3, UK5 and UK6 UAS

And:

Implement geo-awareness for UK1, UK2 and UK3 UAS from 1st January 2026.

From 1st January 2028, geo-awareness will also be required for UK0 UAS with cameras weighing 100g or more. This will help prevent UAS entering restricted airspace without appropriate permission.

The geo-awareness requirements for UK5 and UK6 UAS will continue to be optional. UK4 UAS, legacy UAS and privately built UAS will remain out of scope.

And:

Amend regulation to allow EU class-marked UAS to operate in the Open Category, in the same sub-categories as their UK equivalents, prior to 1st January 2028. This aims to support UAS users conduct operations in the Open Category before UK class-marked UAS become widely available.

More details in the CAP3105 document.

[JoeC]

Oh, for fuck sake!

Amend regulation to use UK-specific class-identification labels on class-marked UAS, replacing the C0 label with UK0 and so forth, to differentiate between compliance in the UK and EU.

and

Amend regulation to allow EU class-marked UAS to operate in the Open Category, in the same sub-categories as their UK equivalents, prior to 1st January 2028. This aims to support UAS users conduct operations in the Open Category before UK class-marked UAS become widely available

Don’t get me wrong - happy that I’ll be able to fly my Air 3S as it was intended come January … but after all this we’re back to trying to plan around an ever-shifting “date of doom” whilst we wait for somebody to come up with bespoke safety standards and then convince global manufacturers that we’re a big enough market to make it worth their while to comply.

Is it too soon to start a thread to talk about the new date this gets pushed back to in the summer of 2027?