So you might have seen the new update from DJI officially stating their alignment with the new EASA aviation regulations. DJI has announced a height restriction on the DJI Mini 4 Pro which has caused quite a bit of controversy.
Whenever new drone rules are introduced, the wording can sometimes be vague and confusing. We’re here to help break it down and explain how it could affect current drone pilots and future drone buyers.
Whilst this currently applies to drone pilots flying in EASA (EU aviation rules), it doesn’t mean that drone regulations won’t extend to other countries like the UK and US soon. It’s important to be aware of this change now, as it may impact some DJI drones you currently operate.
Discover the latest changes in EU drone regulations for DJI Mini drones including C0 labels and new altitude restrictions. And how it may affect you as a current DJI Mini series owner or a potential looking to enter the drone market.
Let’s get started.
Disclaimer: This blog was written from regulations as current as 10th November 2023.
New EU Airspace Regulations Introduced in 2024
DJI states on its official website, that to align with the airspace restrictions in EASA, there will be new restrictions that will affect the DJI Mini series drones – enforced from 2024.
Come January 1 2024, the EU and some EASA countries – including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, will introduce new drone rules. One of which states that all drones sold after January 1 2024 must come with a classification label. Drones sold before this date however, do not require this label – though it is optional to apply.
This regulation was released shortly after the DJI Mini 4 Pro – which has caused a lot of controversy about people purchasing the drone. And, therefore, the DJI Mini 4 Pro, whether you purchase before or after Jan 1 2024 will have this certification label.
This is where the language can get a bit confusing…
Here’s a table taken from the official DJI website showing the changes:
Regarding the classification of drones, there’s a bit of disparity in regulations between drone manufacturers and drone operators. On one hand, drone manufacturers cannot sell C0 label drones that are able to fly above 120 metres in height from the takeoff point. Whereas, the law allows drone operators to fly up to 120 metres above ground level.
This is a bit frustrating as the manufacturer restrictions are a lot stricter than the law requires you to be. This becomes particularly challenging in uneven terrain with mountains, hills, or valleys. Staying below 120 metres from the takeoff point in such areas could be tricky.
Want to learn more about drone photography? Read our guide to DJI Mini 2 photography.
Can I unlock the height restriction on the DJI Mini 4 Pro?
The answer lies in when you purchased the drone. Drones purchased before and after Jan 1 2024 have different allowances.
DJI Mini series drones bought before Jan 1 2024 are sort of in a grey area.
Any DJI Mini 4 Pro drone you purchase will come with a C0 label. You can remove this label before 2024.
All DJI Mini 4 Pro drones purchased after Jan 1 2024 will not have this ability. Thus, the drone will be capped to a 120m height restriction from takeoff.
I need to emphasise that this is applicable to all DJI Mini 4 Pro drones worldwide – no matter what country they are purchased in. In saying that, the law currently only applies to drone operators flying in the EASA region. For example, if you purchase a drone within the UK or US and plan to fly in Iceland, you will encounter this restriction.
This begs the question…
How do I unlock the height restriction on the DJI Mini 4 Pro?
DJI has released step-by-step instructions on how to remove the C0 label on your DJI Mini 4 Pro. Doing so will class your drone as a “legacy” drone, but will allow you to fly higher than 120 m.
Unlocking the height restriction on your DJI Mini 4 Pro requires you to go through a process of taking a picture of your drone and sending it to DJI.
Here’s how to remove the C0 label from your DJI Mini 4 Pro:
- Update your drone to the latest firmware.
- Go onto your settings and click on the ‘Safety’ tab – there should be a button to request the removal of the height restriction.
- Take off the label at the bottom of the drone.
- Take photos of the drone without the label to prove its removal. Also, clearly display the drone’s serial number.
- Upload the images to the DJI website to unlock the drone.
Will this law affect other DJI Mini series drones?
DJI has stated that it would extend the 120m height restriction to all other currently available drones of the DJI Mini series to align with the European Drone Regulations. This will be via a DJI firmware update on the app. I presume this will be sometime around December 2023.
If you do not want the C0 label classification on your DJI Mini drone, I’d advise against doing any further firmware updates on your drone. This isn’t necessarily much of a hindrance as the DJI Mini 3 Pro is nearing the end of new features. The same goes for the DJI Mini 2. So not updating your firmware on these earlier models shouldn’t have any impact on your flying experience.
That said, this ability to avoid the C0 label is only applicable to DJI Mini series drones bought before Jan 1st 2024. If you purchase any DJI Mini Series drone after December 31 2023, you will have a C0 label on your drone and the 120 height restriction will be apparent.
Should I remove the C0 label on my DJI Mini series drone?
Now for the important question.
There is no right answer, as it depends on where you intend to fly and how much flexibility you want. Again, this is currently only for users flying in the EASA region.
If you choose to remove the C0 label from your DJI Mini 4 Pro drone, (or in the case of previous DJI Mini models, avoid updating your firmware) you will no longer have the height restriction on your DJI and will be able to fly up to 500m – as allowed by the drone’s firmware. In doing so, your drone will be considered a “legacy” drone and thus be unclassified. This is irreversible.
You will still be legally forbidden to fly above 120m from ground level. Though, this is a lot more lenient than 120 m from the takeoff point.
If you fly your drone to EU countries regularly or happen to reside there, you may want to consider this option for the terrain you’re flying over. Having that extra flexibility to go above 120 m in mountainous areas for example would enable you more freedom in your shots.
If you choose not to remove your C0 label on your DJI Mini 4 Pro, (or update the firmware on previous DJI Mini models), you will be met with the 120 m height restriction when you power up your drone in the EASA region. As classified as a C0 drone, you will still be able to fly in the “Open” category areas.
For those of you living outside of the EASA region, you might not be as concerned about taking the plunge. However, we all know aviation rules worldwide can change at the click of a finger. So it’s important to be aware in case of any changes to drone classifications or rules in the foreseeable future.
Want to learn more before buying a drone? Check out five things to know before buying a drone.
What about DJI drones purchased before Jan 1st 2024?
DJI has formed a bit of a grey area for drones purchased before Jan 1st 2024. Essentially, this gives drone operators the choice not to have this restriction.
Please be aware: drones in the DJI Mini series (including DJI Mini 2SE, DJI Mini 3 and DJI Mini 3 Pro) will have the enforced height restricted if they update to the latest firmware. This firmware is due around December 2023.
However, choosing not to update your drone’s firmware means you won’t encounter this requirement, and you’ll be free to fly above 120 m. Of course, abiding by the legality and responsibilities of the drone operator.
And finally…
Should I buy a DJI drone in 2023 or wait until 2024?
If you want to purchase a drone that is not technically (and physically) capped at a 120 m altitude, then it’s worth buying a DJI drone before this rule comes into play.
I think the 120 m cap in the drone is a bit excessive since it’s stricter than the law requires and might really have an impact on getting high-up shots. What use is a drone that can’t fly up high and capture shots that we can’t see from the ground?
Having said that, choosing not to classify your drone with a C0 label leaves your drone unclassified. This can have its own impact as you would no longer be under C0 regulations which may affect you flying in certain places such as towns.
Another option involves buying a drone not manufactured by DJI, and thus, avoiding these restrictions.
To recite the important points:
All DJI Mini series drones purchased AFTER Jan 1st 2024 will have a C0 label on them, meaning they will be restricted to fly above heights of 120m in the EU.
All DJI Mini series purchased BEFORE Jan 1st 2024 will have the option to update the drone’s firmware to activate the height restriction on the drone. If you do not update the drone’s firmware, your drone will not have the 120 m height restriction and will not be classified as a C0 drone.
If you’re still in doubt on purchasing a drone, check out our article on whether it’s worth buying a drone in 2023.
Key takeaways:
- All DJI Mini 4 Pro drones come with a C0 label, regardless of their date of purchase – meaning the drone will physically not fly about 120m from the take off point.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro drones purchased before January 1st 2024 can remove the C0 label by updating the firmware, following specific steps that include taking photos of the label’s removal.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro drones purchased after Jan 1st 2024 will not have the ability to remove the C0 label.
- All DJI Mini series drones will be sold with a C0 label after Jan 1st 2024.
- Owners of DJI Mini series drones should avoid updating their firmware if they wish to avoid receiving the C0 label. However, if owners want to activate the C0 label, they can do so by keeping the drone’s firmware up to date.
FAQs: New EU DJI Drone Regulations: Explained
What is a C0 classification label?
C0 drones tend to weigh less than 250 grams and are flown in subcategory A1. From Jan 1 2024, DJI drones in the A1 category will be restricted to flying above heights of 120 m from take off in the EASA region. This includes countries within the EU – including Iceland, Switzerland, Norway, and Liechtenstein.
Will a C0 label affect drone flying in the US, UK or Australia?
Currently, the C0 label only affects those flying within the EASA region. If you currently live outside of the EASA region, the option to remove the height restriction will only display if you power up in the selected EU countries.
Is it worth buying a DJI drone in 2024?
It is still worth buying a drone in 2024 as it can open up a lot of possibilities for photography and videography. That said, if you are planning to fly in the EU region, DJI Mini series drones purchased from Jan 1st 2024 onwards will come with a C0 label. This implies that the DJI Mini drone will have a physical restriction, preventing it from flying above 120m from the takeoff point within the EU.
