Morning all and happy 2026 (hopefully).
After reading so much junk and rubbish social media posts (maybe should just give up on Social Media!), regarding new rules as of today, I’m trying to find a definitive answer to the green light/strobe at night on the Mini 5 Pro.
Obviously, even the little Strobon Cree lights put the Mini 5 even more over the 250g mark, so where to we actually stand with this?
Sensible and informed answers would be very welcome.
1 Like
Does the Mini 5 not have the flashing green lights built into the rotor arms like the Mini 4?
Will these not satisfy the new rule?
1 Like
I believe they turn off when recording video (haven’t checked yet, just read that was the case)
1 Like
Yes, I think they do actually, so the strobe doesn’t interfere with the video recording.
Good excuse to get the drone out tonight to “double check” in the back garden
4 Likes
You may find that rearward facing LEDs don’t turn off? I flew my Air 3S last night, and whilst the two forward strobes were disabled whilst filming, the back ones remained functioning 
5 Likes
I’m not 100% sure, but for some reason I thought there was an option in the flyapp to turn them on/off, I’m sure someone could confirm?
I’m at my parents house atm, and I only brought my Air 3S with me. When I get back to my Mini 4 Pro I’ll have a play…
1 Like
It should be on the Air 3s too; I’d check myself but I’m the airport 
As I have my A2CofC, my original thought was that I’d fly it overweight under new rules (up to 900g), or even A2, but I gather I can’t do that, as the drone itself would need to be re-classified as such.
That seems a bit of a nonsense to me really, as if one has the certification to fly up to 2Kg MTOW, it should cover this sort of scenario. 
1 Like
The Mini series drones (or at least the 4 Pro and 5 Pro) only have two rear-facing LEDs that flash green in normal flight and these turn off when recording video (and hyperlapses, I think).
I think I have read that you can set whether the Air 3S’s front LEDs stay on or not.
Unfortunately, for the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro, I am not aware of any setting that allows you to keep the green LEDs on.
Obviously, for the Mini 4 Pro and Mini 5 Pro, there is a downward white landing light (DJI calls it the “Auxiliary Light”), which you can set to be:
- on when under 5m off the ground (this is the default “Auto” setting),
- on constantly, or
- off.
However, sadly, that white light won’t help you to comply with the law.
2 Likes
Well, had an interesting conversation with the CAA this morning regarding this, and it was agreed that is something that is definitely going to crop up many times in the near future.
The guy I was speaking to said it was something he would also like a definitive answer to (possibly a drone flyer too), so asked me to put it in writing and he will make sure it gets pushed up the ladder for further discussion.
we’ll see
6 Likes
I have also e-mailed the CAA about this topic.
I am awaiting a response.
1 Like
Unfortunately as this legislation is set it will either render many sub 250g drones illegal and redundant for night time flights or encourage many owners who bought them for photography to break the law.
Perhaps increase the weight to sub 260g to allow addition of strobes
2 Likes
The green lights will extinguish when recording video but stay on when taking photos. This is to avoid interfering with video footage. It seems a little odd with respect to the ‘law’ but in almost all situations if you’re flying sensibly, and have LOS to the drone, you’ll be fine - I can’t see a prosecution as either probable or realistic … unless ‘flying like a di@k’
3 Likes
I really cannot believe people are actually worrying about this. Has anyone considered the logistics of resourcing and compiling an evidential case to prosecute a law abiding drone flight where the green LEDs extinguish for a period of seconds in an otherwise lawful flight to record some video reels?
7 Likes
Yes, my Mini 4 Pro already has green LEDs
No, they don’t count 
One small green flashing strobe = you’re covered
But it’s not if you put them lights out 
Just saying
I get your point but same as the looking at your screen and not the drone argument re VLOS. Its all a load of unenforceable and illogical codswallop to me. When was the last drone flight ANYONE was aware of that was reported by a third party because it had LED’s on and then off for a short time - and even if it was reported, nobody can then provide it after the event. Its like all things, just be sensible and don’t crash.
3 Likes
Anyway, we are blessed that we can fly at night; in Greece, I wasn’t able to last year.
exactly👍