Looking for some advice. Is the new DJI Air 3s classed as a legacy aircraft and will it only be able to be flown in the A3 category in 2026. Can’t seem to find any information on whether it will have a C class rating for the UK. All searches seem to come up with transitional arrangements describing aircraft purchased before 2026 will be classed as legacy aircraft. with this doubt is it wise to consider purchasing the Air 3s now.
The class rating is an EU thing - the UK were going to adopt it but they canned the idea - so its unknown how it will work in the future
2 Likes
Afraid that about sums it up.
There has been a lot of foot dragging with, seemingly, not a whole lot of progress. The date for the end of the transitional period has already slipped (was supposed to have ended two years ago) and it won’t be surprising if it does again. In fact, I’ll be very surprised if it doesn’t.
Brexity-rant
I assume what happened was ‘we’ got caught up in the belief that we’d come through Brexit as some sort of global superpower and it would be easy for us to force manufacturers like DJI to build drones to whatever standard we dreamt up.
Turns out we’re small-fry and can’t get them to make us a cup of tea, let alone refactor their entire production lines to suit us.
Who could’ve seen that coming… 
6 Likes
Following a 2023 consultation, CAA proposed implementing a UK class mark. (E.g. UK1 instead of C1) closely aligned to the EU product specifications.
Not sure whether that is still their position.
change is slow and if you adopt this method of thinking it could be years before you get a drone over 250g - get the Air 3s and do your A2 CofC ( members get a great discount on this ) and enjoy that beast of a drone
3 Likes
Hi LE60LAD. I already have my A2 CofC but it is a reasonably large investment to gamble on whether I would be able to flay it in 2026 under the same regulations as now. I do agree however with the the principle if you keep putting off you never get anywhere. I was hoping and have been for a while that a new mini 5 pro would be out but that seems to be getting pushed further back as well. might just have to take the plunge.
1 Like
I am a bit of a glass half full sort of guy and I would like to think that the CAA are aware of the investment that people make in drones so will keep that in mind when it comes to new legislation around them so that things don’t get more complicated / harder around the hardware already in the sky but will impact on newer hardware. Bit like the move from petrol to EV sort of thing.
I do know your not alone in this thinking and I too have questioned myself about the type of craft I fly and where I fly based on rules and location.
1 Like