Misled by DJI on their UK Drone Classifications

General Drone Discussion
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In light of the new regulations in UK, I contacted DJI to enquire if they would be allowing UK Users to have DJI Mavic 3 classified C1, as it is in Europe. As you all know this would allow the Mavic 3 to be flown in the Open A1. The response was no, not going to happen, very disappointing.

So my next step was to look at UK1 (C1) class and the Air 3S was an obvious choice. I contacted DJI to enquire if it was ‘UK1’, the response was yes. So whilst a bit disapponted about the Mavic 3 I found a way forward. Anyway Air 3S arrived, I checked the box and no UK1. I contacted DJI again who told me that it was C1 only. I expressed my disatisfaction about being lied to by DJI support but they weren’t interested and somewhat arrogant. They told me the Air 3S was an old model and would not be UK classified. I returned the Air 3S because I really do not want to chuck in the bin at the end of next year. Frankly I think this is a disgrace, I appreciate some of the blame goes to the CAA but if DJI want to market in the UK, then follow UK classification, not rip us off!

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Don’t be too disappointed, not a single UK class marked drone exists (from any manufacturer).

There are none on the horizon yet either.

What will you do now? :thinking:

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Wait, I don’t have loads of dosh so throw away is a big no no

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But what will you do now? :thinking: :person_shrugging:t2:

Will you not buy a drone at all?

Will you wait and buy the first UK class mark drone that appears on the market from any manufacturer?

Will you wait for DJI to release the Air 4?

I’m not sure what your plan is Martyn @ZaphodB :slight_smile:

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Hiya, I do have a Mini 4 Pro so I’m still flying. It would be nice to get something a bit better to fly in the Open A1. My plan is to see what gets classified, A2 is tempting with the 5m cine rule. I just don’t want to spend out and then suffer a cut off next year. It doesn’t seem fair to me.

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You say next year but its really the best part of 2.

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Take off the days you can’t fly for wind, rain and other commitments??? 2 years. Not convinced. From experience the drone would be in excellent condition. After next december it’s bin or A3. Seems lots of people like A3 but it isn’t where I wish to be.

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But it so much more relaxed for the next 2 years, and there is time for them to change their minds yet, wouldn’t be the first time

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It might be a while before the first wave of UK class marked drones make their way to market, hang on to that Mini 4 for now :smiley:

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Agreed Mr Spike :slight_smile:

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Good point, I must say. We do seem to experience a lot of change. I guess it’s the whole drone thing struggling to get foundation and fir in with the existing aviation culture

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I went & acquired an Air 3s, I,'d been umming n arrring for a while, as it is a large outlay for me, when it dawned on me I could be dead tomorrow, so what the hell, I could have a days use, a years use or whatever, at least I get some use out of it. If I sit on my arse waiting as the world goes by then as far as I’m concerned it’s time wasted, who knows what tomorrow will bring, we could all fry in a nuclear conflagration tomorrow.

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Or run over by a bus :wink:

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At my age I seem to be permanently cold, so bus on a cold wet day or on the other hand a nice warm atomic bomb. Hm! I think I’ll go with the warmth.:smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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As I see it @ZaphodB, you’ve a few options:

  1. Don’t buy anything, and make do with your Mini 4 Pro. It’s a good little drone, but you’ll be missing out on better wind resistance, a very useful short telephoto camera, and the brilliant free panorama mode.

  2. Buy a Mini 5 Pro. This will still be able to fly in the A1 category, and has many of the benefits of the Air 3S.

  3. Buy an Air 3S. Enjoy flying it in the A1 category until 31/12/27 and then, worst case scenario, fly it in the A2 category as a legacy drone - you’ll need to get an A2CofC, but it’s very straightforward. However, it could be that you’ll be able to give it a UK1 label, or the CAA will move the goalposts - as has happened before - and you’ll be able to continue using it in A1 airspace, or we forge closer ties with Europe (again) and everyone goes back to C labels.

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The blocker, as always, is our incompetent airspace regulator.

They are stuck in the dark ages and incapable of keeping up with modern technology :pensive_face:

In terms of being unsure of what to do next, you could wait until June or so and if there is still no sign of any UK class marked drones then maybe pull the trigger on a C1 drone? But as has been mentioned above already, the longer you wait the more you’re missing out on the new freedoms the C1 drones have gained :slight_smile:

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In one way, DJI were correct. At this time, C1 drones are treated no different to UK1.

My understanding of the CAA’s changes are that only new models will get a UK classification, no re-classifications of Cn drones.

I’m quite happy waiting for a UK1 to be released similar to the Air 3S.

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Or just buy the Air3s and take a punt, that the CAA will see the light of day, smell the coffee and keep the rules the same post 01/01/2028.

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Very good point about EU @TheLittleRedJen Seems to be where a lot ambiguity over rules stems from.